Four Habits Of The Stoic Mind

November 18th, 2021

Our rational nature moves freely forward in its impressions when it: 1.) accepts nothing false or uncertain; 2.) directs its impulses only to acts for the common good; 3.) limits its desires and aversions only to what’s in its own power; 4.) embraces everything nature assigns it.

- Marcus Aurelius in Meditations, 8.7

This lesson is fascinating to me. When I think of how much time has passed since Marcus Aurelius wrote this, there is probably no point in time when some has read this and not felt it applicable to their current moment.

History just continues to cycle, and we keep getting swept up with it. The current climate would have us believe that mankind has never been more ignorant. In reality, we continue to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors by ignoring the past.

People today would prefer to ignore facts and science just as they did thousands of years ago.

Conclusion

While we cannot expect others to accept what is true, we need to be steadfast with our habits as Stoics.

  1. Accept only what is true.
  2. Work for the common good.
  3. Match our needs and wants with what is in our control.
  4. Embrace what nature has in store for us.