What are the core Stoic beliefs, how do we apply them, and where did it all start? Enda Harte, our guest author, will take you on a journey through the history, teachings, and practical side of Stoicism.
The beginnings of Stoicism
Stoicism began in Athens around 300 BCE with Zeno of Citium. He taught from the Stoa Poikile, the painted porch that gave the philosophy its name. Later thinkers like Cleanthes and Chrysippus developed the ideas further. But it was in Rome that Stoicism truly came to life, where thinkers such as Seneca, Musonius Rufus, Epictetus, and Emperor Marcus Aurelius applied its lessons to daily living.
At its heart, Stoicism teaches us its most powerful idea. Focus on what you can control, i.e., your thoughts, your actions, and accept what you cannot. In that distinction lies a life of tranquility, clarity, and purpose.
This short guide brings together what I believe are the core Stoic beliefs. Whether you are exploring the school for the first time or returning to it with a new interest, it offers a clearer path through over two millennia of teachings.
Living in Accord with Nature
One of the most well-known Stoic mottos is “live according to nature”. It may sound poetic, but it is a practical principle. Nature, for the Stoics, has two important meanings.
The first is cosmic nature. Stoics believed that the universe is a rational, ordered whole. Every event follows a divine logic, often referred to as the Logos. They saw the world not as chaos, but something shaped by reason and purpose. To live in accordance with nature, then, is to live in harmony with this order, trusting that what happens is part of a larger design.
This leads to the Stoic core belief of acceptance, and some may argue passivity. This Stoic ideal at heart is not passive resignation, but rather an active embrace of reality. This is closely aligned with the phrase amor fati, meaning a love of one’s fate. Though this term came much later through Nietzsche, it aligns the modern Stoic mindset perfectly. Even in difficulty, we do not merely cope, but we learn to welcome what life brings with equanimity.
The second meaning is human nature. The Stoics believed that what sets us apart as humans is our reason. Just as a tree grows by following its nature, we fulfil our nature by living rationally. This means choosing our actions thoughtfully, understanding ourselves and others, and acting with wisdom in our everyday lives.
To live according to nature, then, means aligning with both the structure of the universe and the nature of our own minds. To me, that suggests living honestly, calmly, and purposefully.
“The end may be defined as life in accordance with nature or, in other words, in accordance with our own human nature as well as that of the universe.”
Diogenes Laërtius, in Lives of Eminent Philosophers: ‘Zeno of Citium’, 7.87
Virtue and the Good Life
For the Stoics, the good life is not built on luck, comfort, or status. It is built on virtue. This is not a vague ideal, but a set of practical qualities that guide us day by day.
There are four central virtues in Stoic philosophy:
- Wisdom, or good judgment, in understanding what matters
- Courage, which means doing what is right, even when it is difficult
- Justice, which involves fairness, compassion, and respect for others
- Moderation, which means self-control and balance in all things
These virtues are not optional extras. They are Stoic core beliefs for a flourishing life. Stoicism teaches that virtue is the only true good. Everything else, money, reputation, health, even life and death, is considered indifferent. These things may be preferred or avoided, but they do not define a Stoic’s overall well-being.
The Stoic view of happiness is different from the modern idea of pleasure or personal success. It is grounded in character. Happiness, or Eudaimonia, comes from living in line with virtue. If you live with integrity, you are flourishing, that’s right, even in the face of loss or hardship.
How to never be poor
Seneca mentioned that we are never truly poor if we measure life by nature rather than opinion. And Marcus reminded us that the happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
We are again reminded that peace does not come from changing the world, but from mastering our response to it.
“If at some point in your life, you should come across anything better than justice, prudence, self-control, courage—than a mind satisfied that it has succeeded in enabling you to act rationally, and satisfied to accept what’s beyond its control, if you find anything better than that, embrace it without reservations—it must be an extraordinary thing indeed; and enjoy it to the full.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.6
A full overview from me of the Cardinal Virtues here: https://medium.com/stoicism-philosophy-as-a-way-of-life/the-cardinal-virtues-of-stoicism-41ac08314936?sk=d453aaf825287faeeee652faf75b842b
Control, Choice, and Acceptance
One of the most important core Stoic beliefs is the distinction between what we can control and what we cannot. Epictetus himself put it simply: some things are up to us. Others are not.
In Arrian’s notes of his lectures, he mentions “Control” up to 25 times (The Handbook).
We cannot control the weather, the past, or other people’s actions. Some argue that we can influence certain things, however. But fundamentally, we can control our thoughts, our beliefs, and our responses. This shift in focus is the beginning of freedom and independence.
Stoicism invites us to put our energy where it counts. Instead of worrying about outcomes, we pay attention to how we live, moment by moment. We take responsibility for our perspective and let go of what lies outside our reach.
The Slope of Fate
Chrysippus (The third leader of Stoicism) offered a helpful image. Imagine a cylinder and a cone/spindle top rolling down a hill. The slope represents fate. In that it pushes everything. But each shape rolls in its own way. That difference comes from its nature. In the same way, events may be outside our control, but how we respond is shaped by our choices and character.
This approach builds resilience. Rather than reacting with frustration or bitterness, we learn to ask better questions. How should I act here? What is the lesson? What part is mine to play?
Over time, this mindset transforms us. We replace destructive emotions (Pathe), anger, envy, and fear with hopefully healthier ones. The Stoics called these Eupatheiai or good feelings. Joy in doing what is right. Calm in the face of difficulty. Goodwill towards others, even when they inevitably fall short.
In this way, we are asked not to suppress feelings. Rather, to shape and cultivate them wisely.
Check out my article expanding this point in detail: https://medium.com/stoicism-philosophy-as-a-way-of-life/taking-control-4641a692d595?sk=32c9d596940c2b5d2a6c77dbe8fe1e3a
Stoicism and the Common Good
Stoicism is often seen as an inward-looking philosophy. Cold and callous from misinformation online. But in fact, it places great value on community and shared responsibility.
The Stoics believed that all people share in reason and are connected by nature. This means that we are not isolated individuals, but members of a wider human family. We are called to live not just wisely, but justly.
Marcus Aurelius often reminded himself to treat others as part of the same whole. Even those who opposed him deserved his care, because they too were part of the same universe. Seneca wrote about generosity, service, and compassion, recognising that fortune can change at any moment. The wise person helps others, knowing that they, too, might one day need help.
This sense of moral duty extends beyond our immediate circle. The Stoic philosopher Hierocles described a model called the Circles of Concern. At the centre of this core Stoic belief is the self, surrounded by ever-widening circles: family, neighbours, fellow citizens, all humanity. Our task, he said, is to draw those outer circles inward, treating others with the same care we show ourselves and those closest to us. It is a practical vision of cosmopolitanism: the idea that we are citizens not only of a country, but of the world.
Fulfill your duties to others
Living with virtue includes fulfilling our duties to others. Whether as parents, neighbours, colleagues, or citizens, each role offers us a chance to act with integrity. We do not need high status or public power to live justly. When we act in this way, we not only serve others, but we in turn fulfil our own nature as rational and social beings.
That being said, it starts with yourself; make sure your own house is in order first. For what benefits the bee, ultimately benefits the hive.
“No school is more kind and gentle, none more loving of mankind and more devoted to the common good, so that its guiding principle is to be useful and helpful, and to consider not merely self-interest but that of each and every person on earth.” Seneca, On Clemency 2.5
Seneca, On Clemency 2.5
Stoic Practices for Daily Life
Stoicism is not about grand theories, sounding intelligent, and reading quotes. It is a daily discipline. The ancient Stoics developed clear practices to help train the mind and build resilience. Here are a few that remain as useful now as they were then.
Pause daily: Each evening, take time to review the day. Ask yourself what you did well, where you fell short, and how you responded to events. Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations is a beautiful example of this habit. It builds self-awareness and helps us make better choices tomorrow.
Negative visualisation: Imagine losing something you value, i.e., your health, your job, a relationship. This is not about pessimism. It is a way to prepare for change and appreciate what you have now. Seneca suggested doing this regularly, so that we are not surprised when life changes.
Voluntary discomfort: Now and then, choose a small challenge. Skip the dessert, sleep without a blanket, and walk instead of driving. These acts remind us that comfort is not essential and that we can cope with less. They also help us see that luxury does not lead to peace of mind.
The view from above: Take a step back. Imagine your life from a distance. Picture the world in motion, the vastness of time, and how small your part is within it. This exercise helps us put our problems into perspective and is a worthy meditation for those frustrating moments.
These exercises are not quick-fix solutions by any means. They are long-term habits that shape how we think and live. Over time, they lead to a mind that is steady, open, and at peace.
Stoicism Then and Now
Stoicism began in ancient Athens, but its Stoic core beliefs still speak to modern life now more than ever. Its ideas influence therapy, leadership, and personal growth. But beyond all this, it remains what it always was: a baseline guide to good living.
A key thing to understand from the outset is that this is not a detached or cold philosophy. It is warm and practical. It encourages us to build strength, to show compassion, and to find tranquillity in the everyday.
The school illustrates to us a way of showing up daily. It does not ask you to escape the many problems of life, but to aim to face them well. To greet hardship with a steady mind. And to build a life where peace comes from within, not from circumstance.
As the Stoics remind us, do not spend your time talking about how to live well. Just do it. Be the person you know you can be, with the right guidance system in place.
Further Reading: To explore more, check out our other content on Via Stoica, listen to the Via Stoica Podcast, or visit the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. For original sources, read the works of Seneca, Epictetus, Musonius Rufus, and Marcus Aurelius and biographer Diogenes Laërtius. These texts remain the “Originals” for anyone seeking to live with wisdom and purpose.
Bio: Enda Harte (The Irish Stoic) is a Music Tech Strategist and Artist Manager from Ireland. He writes online and in print about Stoicism and other Ancient Insights in order to live a grounded, well-meaning life.
The Irish Stoic Newsletter: endaharte.substack.com
Other work: endaharte.net
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