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.
“Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought, for the human spirit is colored by such impressions.”
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.16
“Chasing what can't be done is madness. But the base person is unable to do anything else.”
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.17
“Hurry to your own ruling reason, to the reason of the Whole, and to your neighbor's. To your own mind to make it just; to the mind of the Whole to remember your place in it; and to your neighbor's mind to learn whether it's ignorant or of sound knowledge — while recognizing it's like yours.”
- Epictetus, Enchiridion, 23
“If you should ever turn your will to things outside your control in order to impress someone, be sure that you have wrecked your whole purpose in life. Be content, then, to be a philosopher in all that you do, and if you wish also to be seen as one, show yourself first that you are and you will succeed.”
- Epictetus, Enchiridion, 23
“Life without a design is erratic. As soon as one is in place, principles become necessary. I think you'll concede that nothing is more shameful than uncertain and wavering conduct, and beating a cowardly retreat. This will happen in all our affairs unless we remove the faults that seize and detain our spirits, preventing them from pushing forward and making an all-out effort.”
- Seneca, Moral Letters, 95.46
“Diogenes of Sinope said we sell things of great value for things of very little, and vice versa.”
- Diogenes Laertius, Lives Of The Eminent Philosophers, 6.2.35b