After hearing author Ryan Holiday on a podcast, I was intrigued with his knowledge of Stoicism and just how the philosophy aligned with my core values. After purchasing The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living and Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius I decided to document my journey. Here I will share my anecdote while learning and reflecting on Stoicism and how I plan to apply it to my life.
“While it's true that someone can impede our actions, they can't impede our intentions and our attitudes, which have the power of being conditional and adaptable. For the mind adapts and converts any obstacle to its action into a means of achieving it. That which is an impediment to action is turned to advance action. The obstacle on the path becomes the way.”
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.20
“It is possible to curb your arrogance, to overcome pleasure and pain, to rise above your ambition, and to not be angry with stupid and ungrateful people — yes, even to care for them.”
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.8
“Philosophy calls for simple living, but not for penance—it’s quite possible to be simple without being crude.”
- Seneca, Moral Letters, 5.5
“How does it help, my husband, to make misfortune heavier by complaining about it? This is more fit for a king — to seize your adversities head on. The more precarious his situation, the more imminent his fall from power, the more firmly he should be resolved to stand and fight. It isn't manly to retreat from fortune.”
- Seneca, Oedipus, 80
“What assistance can we find in the fight against habit? Try the opposite!”
- Epictetus, Discourses, 1.27.4
“This is why we say that nothing happens to the wise person contrary to their expectations.”
- Seneca, On Tranquility Of Mind, 13.3b