You’ve probably heard of Stoicism recently. Although it is certainly a topic of interest, its origins date back to the 3rd century BC. Around 304 BC, a merchant named Zeno was shipwrecked on a trading voyage and lost almost everything. Upon arriving in Athens, he was introduced to philosophy by the Cynic philosopher Crates and the Megarian philosopher Stilpon, which changed his life. As Zeno later joked, “I made a prosperous voyage when I was shipwrecked.” The greatest merit of Zeno’s humility is that the philosophical school he founded, unlike almost all schools and religions before or after, did not ultimately bear his name.
Stoicism is a philosophical school that proposes a personal ethic. The Stoics of antiquity held that, although one cannot control what happens around one, one can control the way one thinks. The main idea of Stoicism is that people are not disturbed by things that happen but by the opinions they have about those things that happen. Therefore, it is about facing those opinions and before assuming them, questioning them as if they were hypotheses and not firm facts.
Stoicism has been a common thread among some of the great leaders in history. It has been practiced by kings, presidents, artists, writers, and businessmen. Marcus Aurelius, Frederick the Great, Montaigne, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, and Theodore Roosevelt are some examples of historical figures strongly influenced by Stoic philosophy. I am fully convinced that, in a world like today’s, learning from Stoicism can help you better manage your personal and professional challenges.
STOICISM IS BASED ON 4 VIRTUES:
- COURAGE. Seneca commented on the importance of having setbacks in life. Having opportunities to enhance our courage, our bravery. He stressed the need to face with fortitude the difficulties and tragedies that life brings you. Overcoming difficulties with bravery and courage will make us grow enormously. As Seneca used to say, “Sometimes even living is an act of courage.”
- TEMPERANCE. Temperance has to do with moderation. With not doing anything in excess. “Doing the right things, in the right way, in the right amount.” Aristotle was the great defender of temperance as an essential virtue. In this way, Aristotle commented on his famous quote “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” Epictetus also stressed temperance saying that “If you want to achieve something, make it a habit.”
- JUSTICE. That is, doing the right thing, and being fair. For many people, justice is the most important virtue of Stoicism because it influences all the other virtues. Marcus Aurelius himself said, “Justice is the origin of all virtues.” Stoics throughout history have pushed for and defended justice, often at great personal risk and with great courage, to do great things and stand up for the people and ideas they loved. Marcus Aurelius also used to say, “If it’s not right, don’t do it. If it’s not true, don’t say it.”
- WISDOM. Wisdom has always been highly valued by the Stoics. It is the virtue that puts the other virtues in value. It is based on knowledge, on learning. And the central objective of Stoic wisdom is not to acquire a lot of information, but the right information. In a world like today, saturated with so much information, the Stoics recommend slowing down, being deliberate, and finding the wisdom you need. Epictetus said, “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”
So now you know a little more about Stoicism. I am sure that knowing and embracing some of its ideas can help you.
I will end with a quote that sums up Stoic thought. It is by Epictetus and says:
“No man is free who is not master of himself.”
I recommend 3 books that will help you better understand Stoicism:
- Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius.
- Discourses and selected writings. Epictetus.
- Letters from a Stoic. Seneca.
