What Is Voluntary Discomfort? Voluntary discomfort is the Stoic practice of deliberately choosing small hardships to strengthen both body and mind. It teaches freedom from desire and aversion and prepares us to face life’s inevitable challenges with wisdom and courage. Seneca described this training clearly: “Set aside a certain number Read more
Why does Epictetus on protecting your will matter in daily life? To protect your will, like Epictetus means to guard your inner freedom, your power to choose and act according to reason, from being sold too cheaply to external things. “Only consider at what price you sell your own will Read more
“It is not the things themselves that disturb people but their judgements about those things.” Epictetus, Enchiridion, 5 Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we work, think, and even create. Every week seems to bring a new breakthrough, and with it, new waves of excitement and fear. Some see AI Read more
Why does Marcus Aurelius on living fully still matter today? To live fully like Marcus Aurelius means to recognize that the only life you ever truly possess is the one you are living right now, and to give that life your full attention and care. “You cannot lose another life Read more
Why does self-control matter in Stoicism? To practice self-control in Stoicism means directing your desires toward what is truly good, virtue, instead of chasing externals that can harm you when attained. “But this is the result of an excessive lack of self-control and blind love for some commodity; for when Read more
What is Horme? Horme in Stoicism is the impulse or drive that moves us toward action. It is the inner push that turns judgment into movement. For the Stoics, hormē was central because it connected thought, desire, and deed. In modern life, understanding horme helps us recognize why we act Read more
Introduction and Clear Definition In the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca, we encounter a deceptively simple yet profound practice: the Stoic reserve clause. Known in Greek as hupexhairesis and in Latin as exceptio, the reserve clause is the habit of acting while mentally adding a condition; “if nothing Read more
Why does knowing your limits matter in Stoicism? To know your limits in Stoicism means recognizing your natural abilities and responsibilities so you can fulfill your role with excellence instead of overreaching and failing both yourself and others. “If you take on a role that is beyond your powers, you Read more
Immigration is often seen as a source of division, but through a Stoic lens, it becomes an opportunity for unity. Stoicism reminds us that we are not merely citizens of nations, but citizens of the world. This perspective helps us approach migration not with fear, but with reason, justice, and Read more
How to look inward in Stoicism? To look inward in Stoicism means examining your judgments and values to uncover truth rather than being misled by external appearances. “Look inward. Don’t let the true nature or value of anything elude you.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 6.3 In a world of endless Read more