“When you are about to undertake some action, remind yourself what sort of action it is.” Epictetus, Handbook, 4 How often do we rush into things without asking why and what we are doing? Epictetus believed that almost every mistake in life comes from forgetting what we are doing and Read more
Death is not a subject most people want to talk about. But for the Stoics, especially Seneca, reflecting on mortality was not dark or depressing; it was essential. Facing the reality of death is not only about learning how to die. It’s more about learning how to live. In this Read more
What is Sympatheia? Sympatheia (συμπάθεια) in Stoicism reminds us of the deep interconnectedness of all things in the universe. It is the understanding that every person, being, event, and action is part of a larger, rational whole (Logos), and that we each have a role to play within it. More Read more
“But since the first essential is not to become angry, the second to cease being angry, and the third to cure also anger in others.” Seneca, Dialogues and Essays, On Anger, 5 Seneca lays out the Stoic cure for anger: first, we mustn’t get angry. If we fail at doing Read more
“Examine who you are… For you are capable of understanding the divine governance of the universe, and of reasoning on what follows from that.” Epictetus, The Discourses, Book 2, Chapter 10 We often ask, “Who am I?” But the deeper Stoic question is: “What do I belong to?” Epictetus invites Read more
What is Stoic Courage Stoic courage is doing what is virtuous and just, even when it is difficult or requires sacrifice.It is knowing what the just, rational, and natural thing to do is, and then doing it, even when it’s hard, even when it goes against your desires or aversions. Read more
“Not to display anger or other emotions. To be free of passion and yet full of love.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 1.9 What is the Stoic emotional focus? The Stoics focus on the positive emotions, the Eupatheiai, like joy. It’s not suppression, but it’s redirection. Marcus Aurelius hints at this Read more
What is the Hegemonikon? In answering the question, What is the hegemonikon (ἡγεμονικόν) the Stoics refer to your ruling faculty, your inner command center that governs your thoughts, decisions, and reactions. This is where reason, judgment, and self-awareness are housed. While the term may sound abstract or ancient, it represents Read more
“Greed is satisfied by nothing, but nature finds satisfaction even in scant measures.” Seneca, Dialogues and Essays, Consolation to Helvia, 10 Can we choose to be satisfied with less? We often chase satisfaction through the next purchase, the next achievement, the next goal. But Seneca’s words pull us back to Read more
“If you take on a role that is beyond your powers, you not only disgrace yourself in that role, but you neglect the role that you were capable of fulfilling.” Epictetus, The Handbook, 37 What is the importance of taking on our role in life? We hear it often: “You Read more