Prohairesis is the Stoic term for your rational faculty of choice, the part of you that judges, decides, and acts. It is your moral will, the only thing truly under your control. In Stoicism, prohairesis is not a vague idea of free will or general autonomy. It is precise: it Read more
“For universally (and you should not be deceived on this) every living creature is attached to nothing so strongly as it is to its own interest.” Epictetus, The Discourses, Book Two, Chapter 22.12 What does Epictetus mean by saying that we are most attached to our self-interests? At first glance, Read more
“Three relationshipsi. with the body you inhabitii. with the divine, the cause of everything in all thingsiii. with the people around you” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 8.27 How often do we pause to evaluate our relationships, not just with others, but with ourselves and the universe? Marcus Aurelius offers a Read more
A deep dive into the true connection between Stoicism and emotions, clearing up the common misconceptions of how Stoics view and understand emotions. Summary Stoicism and Emotion deals with the complex connection the Stoic has with emotions. Piecing together information from the ancient texts, Graver takes the reader on an Read more
“What a man sets his heart on, that he naturally loves. Do men set their heart on evils? – By no means. Or on what does not concern them? – No again. It remains for us to conclude, then, that good things alone are what they set their heart on: Read more
“How can you wonder your travels do you no good, when you carry yourself around with you? You are saddled with the very thing that drove you away.” Seneca, Letters From a Stoic, Letter XXVIII The excitement or relief of a new place, job, or situation soon settles in, and Read more
What is Propatheia? Propatheia is an involuntary emotional reaction to an impression, shaped by your character and pre-existing beliefs, but occurring before reason has the chance to evaluate or judge what is truly happening. Have you ever flinched at sudden news or felt your heart skip before you caught yourself? Read more
“In the case of everything that delights the mind, or is useful, or is loved with fond affection, remember to tell yourself what sort of thing it is, beginning with the least of things. If you are fond of a jug, say, ‘It is a jug that I am fond Read more
Being alone has a bad reputation in the modern world; that’s why we present 10 Marcus Aurelius quotes to have a different perspective. When we think of being alone, we associate that with loneliness, awkward silence, or disconnection. But for the Stoics, solitude wasn’t a sign of isolation or sadness. Read more
“So other people hurt me? That’s their problem. Their character and actions are not mine. What is done to me is ordained by nature, what I do by my own.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.25 Some quotes don’t just challenge us, they set us free. This one from Marcus Aurelius is Read more