What is Stoicism? Understanding the Philosophy and 9 Stoic Exercises to Begin Practicing
Stoic Exercises, Wisdom, and More
For those of us who live our lives in the real world, there is a philosophy created just for us: Stoicism. It’s a philosophy designed to make us more resilient, happier, more virtuous, and wiser. As a result, it helps us become better people, better parents, and better professionals.
Stoicism has been a common thread among some of history’s greatest leaders. It has been practiced by kings, presidents, artists, writers, and entrepreneurs. Marcus Aurelius, Frederick the Great, Montaigne, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Theodore Roosevelt, General James Mattis, and many others were all influenced by Stoic philosophy.
“Curious about Stoicism? Want to know who the Stoics were and how to practice Stoicism? Find all your answers and more below.
I. What Is Stoicism?
II. How Did Stoicism Begin?
III. Who Were The Stoic Philosophers?
Marcus Aurelius
Seneca
Epictetus
IV. What Are The 4 Virtues of Stoicism?
Courage
Temperance
Justice
Wisdom
V. What Are The Best Books On Stoicism?
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Letters From A Stoic by Seneca
Discourses by Epictetus
VI. How To Be A Stoic: 9 Stoic Exercises To Get You Started
The Dichotomy of Control
Journal
Practice Misfortune
Train Perceptions
Remember—It’s All Ephemeral
Take The View From Above
Memento Mori: Meditate On Your Mortality
Premeditatio Malorum
Amor Fati
VII. What Are The Best Stoic Quotes?
VIII. 3 Physical Stoicism Reminders
Memento Mori Life Calendar
I. What is Stoicism?
“Of all people only those are at leisure who make time for philosophy, only they truly live. Not satisfied to merely keep good watch over their own days, they annex every age to their own. All the harvest of the past is added to their store. ” — Seneca
The private diaries of one of Rome’s greatest emperors, the personal letters of one of Rome’s best playwrights and wisest power brokers, and the lectures of a former slave and exile turned influential teacher have miraculously survived for over two millennia. These documents hold some of the most profound wisdom in history and form the foundation of Stoicism, an ancient philosophy once widely practiced in the Western world. Stoicism was embraced by people from all walks of life, rich and poor, powerful and struggling, all seeking the Good Life.
Aside from the most devoted seekers of wisdom, Stoicism is either unknown or misunderstood by many. To most people, this vibrant, action-oriented, and paradigm-shifting way of living has been reduced to a mere symbol of “emotionlessness.” Given that the mention of philosophy often makes people feel nervous or bored, “Stoic philosophy” might sound like the least appealing thing to learn about, especially for daily life.
It would be difficult to find a term that has been more misunderstood in the English language than “Stoic.” In its true essence, Stoicism is a tool for achieving self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom. It is something to be used for living a good life, rather than being a distant topic of academic study. Many influential historical figures understood Stoicism’s true nature and actively sought it out. These include George Washington, Walt Whitman, Frederick the Great, Eugène Delacroix, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant, Thomas Jefferson, Matthew Arnold, Ambrose Bierce, Theodore Roosevelt, William Alexander Percy, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Each of these individuals read, studied, quoted, or admired the Stoics. The ancient Stoics themselves were highly accomplished.
What have all these and countless other great men and women found within Stoicism that others missed? A great deal. Primarily, it provides much-needed strength, wisdom, and stamina for all of life’s challenges.
II. How Did Stoicism Begin?
Around 304 BC, a merchant named Zeno embarked on a trading voyage that would change his life forever. During the voyage, Zeno’s ship encountered a devastating storm, leading to a shipwreck that left him with nothing. Stranded but undeterred, Zeno made his way to Athens, the bustling center of intellectual and philosophical discourse.
In Athens, Zeno was introduced to philosophy by two prominent figures: the Cynic philosopher Crates and the Megarian philosopher Stilpo. This introduction marked the beginning of a transformative period for Zeno. Despite his initial misfortune, he later reflected with gratitude, jokingly remarking, “I made a prosperous voyage when I suffered shipwreck.”
Zeno’s interest in philosophy deepened, and he began to study and engage with various philosophical teachings. His quest for knowledge and understanding eventually led him to establish his own school of thought. He chose the Stoa Poikile, or “Painted Porch,” as the gathering place for his discussions. Erected in the 5th century BC, the Stoa Poikile was an iconic structure adorned with beautiful murals, some of which remain visible today, nearly 2,500 years later.
Under Zeno’s guidance, the gatherings at the Stoa Poikile evolved into a formal philosophical school. Although his followers were initially called Zenonians, Zeno’s humility and preference for collective identity led to the school being named after the place of their meetings. Thus, the philosophy became known as Stoicism, deriving its name from the Stoa Poikile rather than from Zeno himself. This decision set Stoicism apart from many other philosophical schools and religions, which typically bore the names of their founders.
III. Who Were The Stoic Philosophers?
Agasicles, the king of the Spartans, once quipped that he wanted to be “the student of men whose son I should like to be as well.” This quote underscores the importance of choosing role models wisely, a critical consideration in our pursuit of Stoicism. Before delving into our studies, it’s essential to ask ourselves: Who are the individuals that embraced these principles? Whom can I look up to as an exemplar? Am I proud to consider this person my role model? Do I aspire to emulate them?
The three Stoics you should familiarize yourself with first are the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright and political advisor Seneca, and the former slave turned prominent teacher Epictetus. Once you become acquainted with their teachings, we are confident that you will want to follow in their footsteps.
Who Is Marcus Aurelius?
“Alone of the emperors,” the historian Herodian wrote of Marcus Aurelius, “he gave proof of his learning not by mere words or knowledge of philosophical doctrines but by his blameless character and temperate way of life.” Cassius Dio echoed this sentiment, saying, “In addition to possessing all the other virtues, he ruled better than any others who had ever been in any position of power.”
Born on April 26th, 121, no one could have predicted that Marcus Catilius Severus Annius Verus would one day become Emperor of the Roman Empire. The emperor Hadrian, recognizing Marcus’s early academic accomplishments and potential, took a special interest in him. Hadrian, who enjoyed hunting with the young Marcus, nicknamed him Verissimus—a playful take on his name Verus, meaning “the truest one.” The precise qualities Hadrian saw in Marcus are unclear, but by Marcus’s 17th birthday, Hadrian had begun orchestrating an extraordinary plan.
He intended to make Marcus Aurelius the emperor of Rome.
On February 25th, 138, Hadrian adopted a 51-year-old man named Antoninus Pius, on the condition that he, in turn, adopt Marcus Aurelius. Given the life expectancy of the time, Hadrian expected this regent and mentor to rule for about five years. However, Antoninus defied these expectations and ruled for twenty-three years.
In 161, after the death of Antoninus, Marcus finally ascended to the throne and became Emperor of the Roman Empire. He ruled for nearly two decades until his death in 180. His reign was fraught with challenges: wars with the Parthian Empire, barbarian threats on the northern border, the rise of Christianity, and a devastating plague that claimed millions of lives.
The renowned historian Edward Gibbon noted that under Marcus, the last of the ‘Five Good Emperors,’ “the Roman Empire was governed by absolute power, under the guidance of wisdom and virtue.” This guidance of wisdom and virtue is what set Marcus apart from most world leaders, both past and present. His personal journal, now known as Meditations, offers a rare glimpse into the private thoughts of the most powerful man in the world, as he admonished himself to be more virtuous, more just, more immune to temptation, and wiser.
For Marcus, Stoicism was more than a philosophy; it was a framework for navigating the immense stresses of daily life as the leader of one of history’s most powerful empires. His legacy as a Stoic emperor continues to inspire, showing that true leadership is grounded in wisdom, virtue, and an unwavering commitment to personal integrity.
Who Is Seneca?
Born around 4 BC in Corduba, Spain, Seneca the Younger was destined for greatness from the start. His father, Seneca the Elder, a wealthy and learned writer, selected Attalus the Stoic to tutor his son, primarily for his eloquence and wisdom. Seneca embraced his education with enthusiasm, often describing how he eagerly “laid siege” to the classroom, being the first to arrive and the last to leave. The most significant lesson he learned from Attalus was the practical application of philosophy in everyday life. As Seneca recounted, the goal was to “take away with him some one good thing every day: he should return home a sounder man, or on the way to becoming sounder.”
Although Seneca’s teachers admired his dedication to self-improvement, they were also aware that his father, who was not fond of philosophy, intended for him to pursue an ambitious political career. In Rome, a promising young lawyer could appear in court as early as 17, and Seneca was well on his way. However, a severe lung condition in his early twenties forced him to take an extended trip to Egypt to recuperate. He spent nearly a decade there, writing, reading, and regaining his strength.
Seneca returned to Rome at 35 in 31 AD, a period marked by paranoia, violence, corruption, and political turmoil. He maintained a low profile through the tumultuous reigns of Tiberius and Caligula. His life took a dramatic turn in 41 AD when Emperor Claudius exiled him to the island of Corsica. During his eight years in exile, Seneca remained productive, writing Consolation to Polybius, Consolation to Helvia, and On Anger. However, as time passed, even he needed consolation, leading him to begin his lifelong practice of letter writing.
Eight years later, another twist of fate brought Seneca back to Rome. Agrippina, mother of the future emperor Nero and wife of Claudius, recalled Seneca from exile to become her son’s tutor and advisor. At 53, Seneca found himself at the heart of the Roman imperial court—a whirlwind of events that continue to puzzle historians. Despite his efforts, Seneca’s influence on Nero was minimal, as the young emperor soon revealed himself to be deranged. Was it a hopeless mission from the start? Probably. But as a Stoic, Seneca believed in the importance of fulfilling one’s duties. As he later wrote, the difference between the Stoics and the Epicureans was that the Stoics felt politics was a duty.
Seneca’s journey, marked by personal struggles and political intrigue, exemplifies the practical application of Stoic philosophy. His life story continues to inspire those who seek wisdom and virtue in the face of adversity.
Who Is Epictetus?
While Seneca spoke with surprising relatability about slave owners becoming enslaved by the responsibility of managing their slaves, and other Stoics congratulated themselves for their humane treatment of human chattel, Epictetus stood out for a unique reason,he was born a slave.
His given name is not known; “Epictetus” is Greek for “acquired.” Born into slavery, Epictetus’s master, Epaphroditus, was notoriously cruel even by Roman standards. Later Christian writers recount that Epaphroditus was violent and depraved, once twisting Epictetus’s leg with all his might. The reason for this act remains unclear—punishment, sick pleasure, or an attempt to force obedience. When the leg snapped, Epictetus made no sound, shed no tears. Instead, he smiled and said to his master, “Didn’t I warn you?”
For the rest of his life, Epictetus walked with a limp. Yet, he remained unbroken. He later reflected, “Lameness is an impediment to the leg, but not to the will.” Epictetus chose to see his disability as merely a physical impairment, emphasizing the idea of choice, which became central to his philosophical beliefs. He often said that life was like a play, and if the playwright chose for you to act as a poor man, a cripple, a governor, or a private person, your job was to act the role well. “To choose it,” he said, “is another’s.”
And so he did.
A law established by Augustus in 4 AD dictated that slaves could not be freed before their 30th birthday. Epictetus obtained his freedom shortly after Emperor Nero’s death. Dedicating himself fully to philosophy, he taught in Rome for nearly 25 years. His teaching career in Rome ended when Emperor Domitian famously banished all philosophers from the city. Epictetus fled to Nicopolis in Greece, where he founded a philosophy school and taught until his death.
Epictetus’s journey from slavery to becoming one of the most influential Stoic philosophers exemplifies resilience and the power of choice. His teachings continue to inspire, demonstrating that true freedom lies not in external circumstances but in the strength of one’s will and character.
IV. What Are The 4 Virtues of Stoicism?
Courage.
Temperance.
Justice.
Wisdom.
They are the most essential values in Stoic philosophy. “If, at some point in your life,” Marcus Aurelius wrote, “you should come across anything better than justice, truth, self-control, courage—it must be an extraordinary thing indeed.” That was almost twenty centuries ago. We have discovered a lot of things since then—automobiles, the Internet, cures for diseases that were previously a death sentence—but have we found anything better?
…than being brave
…than moderation and sobriety
…than doing what’s right
…than truth and understanding?
No, we have not. It’s unlikely we ever will. Everything we face in life is an opportunity to respond with these four traits:
Courage
In Cormac McCarthy’s poignant novel, All the Pretty Horses, there is a pivotal moment when Emilio Perez poses a profound question to John Grady, delving into the essence of existence and the requisite for a meaningful life.
- “The world seeks to ascertain your courage. Are you bold enough?”
The Stoics, in their wisdom, might express this sentiment in a different manner. Seneca, for instance, expressed pity for those who have never faced adversity. “You have traversed life without an adversary,” he mused, “None, not even yourself, can fathom your capabilities.”
The world endeavors to categorize individuals, hence it presents challenges intermittently. View these not as mere inconveniences or tragedies, but as prospects, as inquiries begging answers. Do I possess courage? Will I confront this obstacle or retreat from it? Shall I stand firm or succumb?
Let your deeds inscribe a reply in the annals—and let them serve as a reminder of the paramount importance of courage.
Temperance
Certainly, life presents a complexity beyond the mere notion that courage reigns supreme. While it’s universally acknowledged that courage holds significance, we’re also aware of individuals whose valor transitions into recklessness, posing dangers to themselves and others.
Enter Aristotle. He used courage as a primary illustration in his renowned concept of the “Golden Mean.” On one extreme lies cowardice—an insufficiency of courage. On the opposite end lies recklessness—excessive courage. What’s advocated for, what’s needed, is a golden mean—the right measure.
This notion intertwines with temperance or moderation: refraining from excess and engaging in actions appropriately and judiciously. As Aristotle articulated, “We are what we repeatedly do,” highlighting that excellence isn’t an isolated act but a habitual practice.
In essence, virtue and excellence constitute a lifestyle, akin to an operating system where habit forms the underlying code.
Epictetus echoed this sentiment, affirming that capability flourishes through consistent actions. Hence, to achieve desired outcomes—happiness, success, greatness—one must cultivate the necessary capabilities through daily habits.
This realization offers optimism, suggesting that significant achievements or profound transformations are attainable through incremental adjustments, effective systems, and appropriate processes.
Justice
Being brave. Finding the right balance. These are core Stoic virtues, but in their seriousness, they pale in comparison to what the Stoics worshipped most highly: Doing the right thing.
There is no Stoic virtue more important than justice, because it influences all the others. Marcus Aurelius himself said that justice is “the source of all the other virtues.” Stoics throughout history have pushed and advocated for justice, oftentimes at great personal risk and with great courage, in order to do great things and defend the people and ideas that they loved.
- Cato gave his life trying to restore the Roman Republic.
- And Thrasea and Agrippinus gave theirs resisting the tyranny of Nero.
- George Washington and Thomas Jefferson formed a new nation—one which would seek, however imperfectly, to fight for democracy and justice—largely inspired by the philosophy of Cato and those other Stoics.
- Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a translator of Epictetus, led a black regiment of troops in the US Civil War.
- Beatrice Webb, who helped to found the London School of Economics and who first conceptualized the idea of collective bargaining, regularly re-read Marcus Aurelius.
Countless other activists and politicians have turned to Stoicism to gird them against the difficulty of fighting for ideals that mattered, to guide them towards what was right in a world of so much wrong. A Stoic must deeply believe that an individual can make a difference. Successful activism and political maneuvering require understanding and strategy, as well as realism… and hope. It requires wisdom, acceptance and also a refusal to accept the statue quo.
It was James Baldwin who most brilliantly captured this tension in Notes of a Native Son:
It began to seem that one would have to hold in mind forever two ideas which seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as they are: in light of this idea it goes without saying that injustice is commonplace. But this did not mean that one could be complacent, for the second idea was of equal power: that one must never, in one’s own life, accept these injustices as commonplace but one must fight them with all one’s strength.
A Stoic sees the world clearly…but also sees clearly what the world can be. And then they are brave, and strategic enough to help bring it into reality.
Wisdom
Courage. Temperance. Justice. These are the critical virtues of life. But what situations call for courage? What is the right amount? What is the right thing? This is where the final and essential virtue comes in: Wisdom. The knowing. The learning. The experience required to navigate the world.
Wisdom has always been prized by the Stoics. Zeno said that we were given two ears and one mouth for a reason: to listen more than we talk. And since we have two eyes, we are obligated to read and observe more than we talk as well.
It is key today, as it was in the ancient world, to be able to distinguish between the vast aggregations of information that lay out there at your disposal—and the actual wisdom that you need to live a good life. It’s key that we study, that we keep our minds open always. You cannot learn that which you think you already know, Epictetus said. It’s true.
Which is why we need to not only be humble students but also seek out great teachers. It’s why we should always be reading. It’s why we cannot stop training. It’s why we have to be diligent in filtering out the signal from the noise.
The goal is not just to acquire information, but the right kind of information. It’s the lessons found in Meditations, in everything from the actual Epictetus to James Stockdale entering the world of Epictetus. It’s the key facts, standing out from the background noise, that you need to absorb.
Thousands of years of blazing insight are available to the world. It is likely that you have the power to learn anything you want at your fingertips. So today, honor the Stoic virtue of wisdom by slowing down, being deliberate, and finding the wisdom you need.
Two eyes, two ears, one mouth. Remain a student. Act accordingly—and wisely.
V. What Are The Best Books On Stoicism?
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is perhaps the only document of its kind ever made. It is the private thoughts of the world’s most powerful man giving advice to himself on how to make good on the responsibilities and obligations of his positions. Marcus stopped almost every night to practice a series of spiritual exercises—reminders designed to make him humble, patient, empathetic, generous, and strong in the face of whatever he was dealing with. You cannot read this book and not come away with a phrase or a line that will be helpful to you next time you are in trouble. Read it, it is practical philosophy embodied.
Letters From A Stoic by Seneca
While Marcus wrote mainly for himself, Seneca had no trouble advising and aiding others. In fact, that was his job—he was Nero’s tutor, tasked with reducing the terrible impulses of a terrible man. His advice on grief, on wealth, on power, on religion, and on life are always there when you need them. Seneca’s letters are the best place to start, but the essays in On the Shortness of Life are excellent as well.
That Epictetus’ teachings survive to us is remarkable. It is only thanks to a student named Arrian, who’s credited with transcribing the lessons he learned in Epictetus’ classroom at the beginning of the second century AD. Arrian wrote in a letter prior to the Discourses’ publishing, “whatever I used to hear him say I wrote down, word for word, as best I could, as a record for later use of his thought and frank expression.” Arrian would use those lessons to achieve renown throughout Rome as a political advisor, military commander, and prolific author. Interestingly, in the first book of Meditations, titled “Debts and Lessons,” Marcus thanks one of his philosophy teachers, Rusticus, “for introducing me to Epictetus’s lectures – and loaning me his own copy.”
VI. How To Be A Stoic: 9 Stoic Exercises To Get You Started
1. The Dichotomy Of Control
“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own . . .” Epictetus
The most important practice in Stoic philosophy is to differentiate between what we can change and what we can’t. We have influence over some things and not over others. For example, if a flight is delayed due to weather, no amount of yelling at an airline representative will end the storm. No amount of wishing will make you taller or shorter, or change the country you were born in. No matter how hard you try, you can’t make someone like you. Spending time trying to change these unchangeable things takes away from focusing on the things we can change.
Return to this question daily, in every trying situation. Journal and reflect on it constantly. If you can clarify which parts of your day are within your control and which are not, you will not only be happier, but will also have an advantage over others who fail to realize they are fighting an unwinnable battle.
2. Journal
“Few care now about the marches and countermarches of the Roman commanders. What the centuries have clung to is a notebook of thoughts by a man whose real life was largely unknown who put down in the midnight dimness not the events of the day or the plans of the morrow, but something of far more permanent interest, the ideals and aspirations that a rare spirit lived by.” — Brand Blanshard
Epictetus the slave. Marcus Aurelius the emperor. Seneca the power broker and playwright. These three radically different men led radically different lives. But they seemed to have one habit in common: Journaling.
It would be Epictetus who would admonish his students that philosophy was something they should “write down day by day,” that this writing was how they “should exercise themselves.” Seneca’s favorite time to journal was in the evenings. When darkness had fallen and his wife had gone asleep, he explained to a friend, “I examine my entire day and go back over what I’ve done and said, hiding nothing from myself, passing nothing by.” Then he would go to bed, finding that “the sleep which follows this self-examination” was particularly sweet. And Marcus, he was the most prodigious of journalers, and we are lucky enough that his writings survive to us, appropriately titled, Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν, Ta eis heauton, or “to himself.”
In Stoicism the art of journaling is more than some simple diary. This daily practice is the philosophy. Preparing for the day ahead. Reflecting on the day that has passed. Reminding oneself of the wisdom we have learned from our teachers, from our reading, from our own experiences. It’s not enough to simply hear these lessons once, instead, one practices them over and over again, turns them over in their mind, and most importantly, writes them down and feels them flowing through their fingers in doing so.
Stoicism is designed to be a practice and a routine. It’s not a philosophy you read once and magically understand at the soul-level. No, it’s a lifelong pursuit that requires diligence and repetition and concentration. (Pierre Hadot called it spiritual exercising). It’s putting one thing up for you to review—to have at hand—and to fully digest. Not in passing. Not just once. But every single day over the course of a year, and preferably year in and year out. And if Epictetus is right, it’s something you’re supposed to keep within reach at all times—which is why a collection of the greatest hits, presented daily, was so appealing to us.
In this way, journaling is Stoicism. It’s almost impossible to have one without the other.
3. Practice Misfortune
“It is in times of security that the spirit should be preparing itself for difficult times; while fortune is bestowing favors on it is then is the time for it to be strengthened against her rebuffs.” — Seneca
Seneca, who enjoyed great wealth as the adviser of Nero, suggested that we ought to set aside a certain number of days each month to practice poverty. Take a little food, wear your worst clothes, get away from the comfort of your home and bed. Put yourself face to face with want, he said, you’ll ask yourself “Is this what I used to dread?”
It’s important to remember that this is an exercise and not a rhetorical device. He doesn’t mean “think about” misfortune, he means live it. Comfort is the worst kind of slavery because you’re always afraid that something or someone will take it away. But if you can not just anticipate but practice misfortune, then chance loses its ability to disrupt your life.
Emotions like anxiety and fear have their roots in uncertainty and rarely in experience. Anyone who has made a big bet on themselves knows how much energy both states can consume. The solution is to do something about that ignorance. Make yourself familiar with the things, the worst-case scenarios, that you’re afraid of.
Practice what you fear, whether a simulation in your mind or in real life. The downside is almost always reversible or transient.
4. Train Perceptions
“Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed and you haven’t been.” — Marcus Aurelius
The Stoics had an exercise called Turning the Obstacle Upside Down. What they meant to do was make it impossible to not practice the art of philosophy. Because if you can properly turn a problem upside down, every “bad” becomes a new source of good.
Suppose for a moment that you are trying to help someone, and they respond by being surly or unwilling to cooperate. Instead of making your life more difficult, the situation actually presents an opportunity for you to develop new virtues, such as patience or understanding. Similarly, the death of someone close to you could be a chance for you to demonstrate fortitude.
Marcus Aurelius described it like this:
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
It should sound familiar because it reflects the same thinking behind Obama’s “teachable moments.” Just before the election, Joe Klein asked Obama how he had decided to respond to the Reverend Wright scandal. Obama mentioned that when the story broke, he realized that the best approach wasn’t damage control; instead, it was to speak to Americans like adults. What he ended up doing was turning a negative situation into the perfect platform for his landmark speech about race.
The general idea about entrepreneurs is that they make the most of, or even create, opportunities. According to Stoicism, everything is an opportunity. The Reverend Wright scandal, a frustrating situation where your assistance is not appreciated, and the loss of a loved one are not typically viewed as “opportunities.” In fact, they are seen as obstacles. However, a Stoic mindset involves turning every obstacle into an opportunity.
For a practicing Stoic, there is no inherently good or bad. There is only perception, which you control. You have the option to look beyond your initial impression (e.g., ‘X happened.’ –> ‘X happened and now my life is over.’). By approaching situations with detachment, you’ll come to see that everything is simply an opportunity.
5. Remember—It’s All Ephemeral
“Alexander the Great and his mule driver both died and the same thing happened to both.” — Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius wrote to himself a simple and effective reminder to help him regain perspective and stay balanced:
“Run down the list of those who felt intense anger at something: the most famous, the most unfortunate, the most hated, the most whatever: Where is all that now? Smoke, dust, legend…or not even a legend. Think of all the examples. And how trivial the things we want so passionately are.”
It’s crucial to understand that when the Stoics talk about overcoming ‘passions’, they are referring to irrational, unhealthy, and excessive desires and emotions, not modern enthusiasm or care for something. This includes replacing negative ‘passions’ with positive ones, such as replacing excessive pleasure with joy.
Returning to the point of the exercise, it’s simple: remember how small you are. For that matter, remember how small most everything is.
Remember that achievements can be ephemeral, and that your possession of them is only for a moment.
If everything is ephemeral, what really matters? Right now matters. Being a good person and doing the right thing right now, that’s what matters and that’s what was important to the Stoics.
Take Alexander the Great who conquered the known world and had cities named in his honor. This is common knowledge. The Stoics would also point out that, once while drunk, Alexander got into a fight with his dearest friend, Cleitus, and accidentally killed him. Afterward, he was so despondent that he couldn’t eat or drink for three days. Sophists were called from all over Greece to see what they could do about his grief, to no avail.
Is this the mark of a successful life? From a personal standpoint, it matters little if your name is emblazoned on a map if you lose perspective and hurt those around you.
Learn from Alexander’s mistake. Be humble, honest, and aware. That is something you can have every single day of your life. You’ll never have to fear someone taking it from you or, worse still, it taking over you..
6.Take The View From Above
“How beautifully Plato put it. Whenever you want to talk about people, it’s best to take a bird’s- eye view and see everything all at once— of gatherings, armies, farms, weddings and divorces, births and deaths, noisy courtrooms or silent spaces, every foreign people, holidays, memorials, markets— all blended together and arranged in a pairing of opposites.” — Marcus Aurelius
Marcus would often practice an exercise that is referred to as “taking the view from above” or “Plato’s view.” It invites us to take a step back, zoom out and see life from a higher vantage point than our own. This exercise—envisioning all the millions and millions of people, all the “armies, farms, weddings and divorces, births and deaths”—prompts us to take perspective and just like the previous exercise, remind us how small we are. It reorients us, and as Stoic scholar Pierre Hadot put it, “The view from above changes our value judgments on things: luxury, power, war…and the worries of everyday life become ridiculous.”
Seeing how small we are in the grand scheme of things is only one portion of this exercise. The second, more subtle point, is to tap into what the Stoics call sympatheia, or a mutual interdependence with the whole of humanity. As the astronaut Edgar Mitchell, one of the first people to actually experience a real ‘view from above’ put it, “In outer space you develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it.” Take a step back from your own concerns and remind yourself of your duty to others. Take Plato’s view.
7. Memento Mori: Meditate On Your Mortality
“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. … The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.” Seneca
The quote from Seneca above is part of Memento Mori, which is the ancient practice of reflecting on mortality. This practice dates back to Socrates, who said that the proper practice of philosophy is “about nothing else but dying and being dead.” In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” This was a personal reminder to continue living a life of virtue now, and not to wait.
Meditating on your mortality is only depressing if you miss the point. The Stoics find this thought invigorating and humbling. It is not surprising that one of Seneca’s biographies is titled “Dying Every Day”. After all, it is Seneca who urged us to tell ourselves, “You may not wake up tomorrow,” when going to bed, and “You may not sleep again,” when waking up, as reminders of our mortality. Another Stoic, Epictetus, urged his students to “Keep death and exile before your eyes each day, along with everything that seems terrible. By doing so, you’ll never have a base thought nor will you have excessive desire.” Use those reminders and meditate on them daily; let them be the building blocks of living your life to the fullest and not wasting a second.
8. Premeditatio Malorum
“What is quite unlooked for is more crushing in its effect, and unexpectedness adds to the weight of a disaster. This is a reason for ensuring that nothing ever takes us by surprise. We should project our thoughts ahead of us at every turn and have in mind every possible eventuality instead of only the usual course of events… Rehearse them in your mind: exile, torture, war, shipwreck. All the terms of our human lot should be before our eyes.” — Seneca
The premeditatio malorum (“the pre-meditation of evils”) is a Stoic exercise of imagining things that could go wrong or be taken away from us. It helps us prepare for life’s inevitable setbacks. We don’t always get what is rightfully ours, even if we’ve earned it. Not everything is as clean and straightforward as we think they may be. Psychologically, we must prepare ourselves for this to happen. It is one of the most powerful exercise in the Stoics’ toolkit to build resilience and strength.
Seneca, for instance, would begin by reviewing or rehearsing his plans, say, to take a trip. And then, in his head (or in journaling as we said above), he would go over the things that could go wrong or prevent it from happening—a storm could arise, the captain could fall ill, the ship could be attacked by pirates.
“Nothing happens to the wise man against his expectation,” he wrote to a friend. “. . . nor do all things turn out for him as he wished but as he reckoned—and above all he reckoned that something could block his plans.”
By doing this exercise, Seneca was always prepared for disruption and always working that disruption into his plans. He was fitted for defeat or victory.
9. Amor Fati
“To love only what happens, what was destined. No greater harmony.” — Marcus Aurelius
The great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche would describe his formula for human greatness as amor fati—a love of fate. “That one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backwards, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it….but love it.”
The Stoics not only understood this attitude, but they embraced it. Two thousand years ago, writing in his personal journal, which would later become known as “Meditations,” Emperor Marcus Aurelius said: “A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.” Another Stoic, Epictetus, who faced adversity as a crippled slave, echoed the same sentiment: “Do not seek for things to happen the way you want them to; rather, wish that what happens happens the way it happens, then you will be happy.”
It is why amor fati is the Stoic exercise and mindset that you take on to make the best out of anything that happens: treat each and every moment, no matter how challenging, as something to be embraced, not avoided. You should not only be okay with it, but love it and become better because of it. This way, obstacles and adversity become fuel for your potential, just like oxygen to a fire.
VII. What Are The Best Stoic Quotes?
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“We are often more frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” — Seneca
“It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.” —Marcus Aurelius
“Our life is what our thoughts make it.” — Marcus Aurelius
“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.” Epictetus
“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill— of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, ‘He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.’” — Epictetus
“If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it.” — Marcus Aurelius
“You become what you give your attention to…If you yourself don’t choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will.” — Epictetus
“Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.” — Marcus Aurelius
“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.” — Marcus Aurelius
“All you need are these: certainty of judgment in the present moment; action for the common good in the present moment; and an attitude of gratitude in the present moment for anything that comes your way.” — Marcus Aurelius
“No person has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have, and to cheerfully put to good use what they do have.” — Seneca
“If anyone can refute me—show me I’m making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective—I’ll gladly change. It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone.” — Marcus Aurelius
“Today I escaped anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions not outside.” — Marcus Aurelius
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius
“It isn’t events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgements about them.” — Epictetus
“To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved and the raging of the sea falls still around it.” — Marcus Aurelius
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” — Epictetus
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be One.” — Marcus Aurelius
“The primary indication of a well-ordered mind is a man’s ability to remain in one place and linger in his own company.” — Seneca
“Receive without pride, let go without attachment.” — Marcus Aurelius
VIII. 3 Physical Stoicism Reminders
Memento Mori Life Calendar
Our most popular item, the memento mori life calendar has been added to the daily carry of thousands as a literal and inescapable reminder that “you could leave life right now.” It’s an unbelievably powerful tool that will help improve your focus, destroy procrastination, develop a heightened perspective on life, and give you a rush of motivation to take consistent action. If you’ve been battling procrastination, fighting off distractions with little success, or simply wish to live more intentionally, this will do the trick.
Stop trying to control everything
Start controlling YOUR MIND instead
Have you ever felt that your mind holds untapped potential? Imagine being able to harness that power to achieve your goals, control your emotions and overcome challenges, self-doubt, and create the life you’ve always dreamed of. Mind Mastery, is your guide to unlocking these possibilities.
