Is Stoicism for You?

StoicStoicismphilosophylifestyle

Aug 23

Written By Jason Fisk

You’re Not an Iceman

Stoicism for Beginners

What is Stoic Philosophy?

What do the four cardinal virtues mean?

Courage
Temperance
Justice
Wisdom

I’m probably going to repeat myself in this post but I want to make sure you understand the points. Being a Stoic (with a capital S) means that you’re working to have better control of your emotions rather than letting them dictate your actions.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Stoicism is that it advocates for emotional suppression or detachment, leading to a cold, unfeeling existence. People often think Stoicism teaches that one should be indifferent to all emotions and that Stoics should be indifferent to life's pleasures, pains, or relationships.

In reality, Stoicism does not encourage the suppression of emotions but rather the development of emotional resilience and rational control over them. The Stoic philosophy teaches that while we can't always control what happens to us, we can control how we respond to those events. The goal is not to eliminate emotions but to avoid being ruled by them, particularly destructive or irrational ones like excessive anger, fear, or envy.

Stoics emphasise the importance of virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, aiming to live in harmony with nature and reason. They believe that by cultivating these virtues, one can achieve a state of inner tranquillity (ataraxia) and a sense of contentment (eudaimonia), even in the face of adversity.

In essence, Stoicism is about finding balance, maintaining perspective, and responding to life's challenges with reason and composure, rather than denying or repressing one's emotional experiences.

The phrase ‘Shit Happens’ is perfect because it conveys the feeling that something might happen and yeah, okay, what now? You can’t change that fact it happened, and getting upset about it won’t change anything. You’ll be in a better position to deal with the problem if you are relaxed rather than seething. Take a step back rather than jump ahead. The best cure for anger is patience.

Books; Meditiations, Seneca, Epictetus. And of course Ryan Holiday at The Daily Stoic.

The meaning of: Understanding is that You can’t control what happens around or to you, but you can control how you respond.

The Five Most Overused Stoic Quotes;

Stoic philosophy has become incredibly popular in recent years, and some quotes get repeated so often that they've become almost clichés. Here are five of the most overused Stoic quotes:

1. Amor Fati (Love of fate) - Although technically popularised by Nietzsche, this concept is rooted in Stoicism. The idea is to embrace everything that happens, good or bad, as necessary and beneficial. It's often cited as a way to develop resilience, but it can sometimes be oversimplified into, "accept everything."

2. The obstacle is the way." - From ‘Meditations, this quote suggests that challenges and setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for growth. This has become almost a mantra in modern self-help, often repeated without fully exploring its deeper implications.

3. You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength. - Another popular line from ‘Meditations, this quote emphasises control over one's own reactions rather than external circumstances. It’s frequently quoted in discussions about personal responsibility and emotional resilience.

4. Memento mori (Remember you will die) - This phrase encourages awareness of mortality, urging people to live with purpose. It's used widely in various contexts, often as a reminder to focus on what truly matters, but sometimes it loses depth in its repeated, superficial use.

5. It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. - This quote reflects the Stoic emphasis on living a meaningful life rather than fearing death. It's often used in motivational contexts but can sometimes be reduced to just another "live your best life" slogan.

Here are five lesser-known Stoic quotes that capture the essence of Stoic philosophy:

1. Epictetus ‘It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.’ - This quote emphasises the importance of humility and being open to continuous learning.

2. Marcus Aurelius ‘The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.’ - This highlights the Stoic principle that obstacles can be transformed into opportunities for growth.

3. Seneca ‘We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.’ - Seneca reminds us that our fears and anxieties are often exaggerated by our minds.

4. Musonius Rufus ‘To be angry at something means you’ve forgotten: that everything that happens is natural.’ - This quote reflects the Stoic idea that anger arises when we resist the natural course of events.

5. Zeno of Citium ‘Man conquers the world by conquering himself.’ - Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, emphasises that true mastery lies in self-control and self-discipline.

And of course that last one is what we Stoics all strive for. And it’s important to understand that this is a lifelong pursuit. You don’t achieve STOIC overnight, much like you don’t achieve a healthy body when you visit the gym once. It takes time. If you can’t being in for the long game, then this isn’t for you.