Ancient Stoicism in Plain English

May 9, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses

Guard Your Freedom

When you lose an external thing, you get something in return. Think about what you get in return when you lose an external thing.

May 6, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Be Committed to Your Choice

1. Everything comes at a price. 2. You can choose either restraint and dignity or having a good time without regard to anything else. 3. You can have either, but you have to choose one. 4. No matter what you choose, do it wholeheartedly.

May 2, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

How to Achieve Freedom – 4

1. As long as you desire an external thing, you will have a master. The person who has control over the external thing will be your master. 2. The way to achieve freedom is not by fulfilling your desires, but by letting go of them.

April 28, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

How to Achieve Freedom – 3

1. The person who cannot be blocked is free. 2. The person who can be blocked is a slave. 3. You cannot be blocked if you don’t desire external things, things that are not your own. 4. This is the road to freedom.

April 25, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

How to Achieve Freedom – 2

1. Understand what is under your control and what is not under your control. 2. Be prepared to let go of things you don’t own. 3. External things are not the problem, but they we judge them is the problem

April 21, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

How to Achieve Freedom – 1

You are free when you live as you wish; when you cannot be compelled, obstructed, or controlled; your choices cannot be blocked; when you get your desires fulfilled, and when you don’t face anything you want to avoid.

March 31, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Train to Confront the Fear of Death

1. There is no shame in anything that is not of your making. 2. You should never fear the future. You will always have resources to cope with whatever happens.

March 28, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Train to Achieve Your Goal

1. We are involved in the greatest contest. The goal is to achieve happiness and good fortune. 2. Even if you fail, nothing will stop you from coming back to enter the contest again. 3. But do not make it a habit of failing. It will only breed more failure.

March 24, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Train to be at Home Wherever You Are

1. When we leave our place or the people we love, we long for them But all things are impermanent. 2. To wish them to stay the same is irrational.

March 21, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Move Your Audience to Examine Their Lives

1. First decide what you want to be and then act accordingly. 2. We use standards for our behaviour. There are two such standards: A general standard that tells us how to behave like human beings and a specific standard that applies to your chosen occupation and choices.