Ancient Stoicism in Plain English

June 14, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Be Steadfast In Your Practice (Epictetus’ Discourses In Plain English I.29)

1. Good and evil come from our choices. If our judgement about externals is correct, our choice is good; if our judgement is distorted or crooked, then our choice is bad. Therefore, if you want something good, get it from yourself. 2. Someone who threatens you physically can only threaten...

June 10, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Don’t Be Angry With Others (Epictetus’ Discourses In Plain English I.28)

1. We accept things to be true or false because they appear so to us. 2. Even when people act in destructive ways, it is because they have accepted their impressions as true, without examining them. 3. We should not be angry with others, because they are doing what they...

June 7, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Ways To Deal With External Impressions (Discourses I.27)

1. External impressions can be deceptive. The duty of an educated person is to judge all impressions correctly. 2. Choose the right resource for the right job. To combat a habit, choose a contrary habit. 3. We cannot escape death, but we can escape the fear of it...

June 3, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

The Law Of Life: Live In Accordance With Nature (Discourses I.26)

1. Live in accordance with nature. 2. Become aware of this governing principle. 3. Start with ideas that are easy to understand and then go on to more difficult ones.

June 1, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Placing value on externals creates conflicts (Epictetus’ Discourses in Plain English I.25)

We are anxious because we don’t accept that good and evil arise out of our moral choices, not by external things.

May 27, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Difficulties Show What A Person Is Made Of (Epictetus Discourses In Plain English 1.24)

It is difficulties that show what a person is made of. So, when you face some difficulty, think of yourself as a wrestler. God, as your trainer, has matched you with a tough young opponent.

May 24, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

External Things Are Of No Value (Discourses In Plain English I.23)

Even Epicurus realizes that, by nature, we are social beings. But once he has placed our good in what is merely our shell, he cannot say anything that is not in line with it.

May 20, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

We Are Conflicted Because We Value Externals (Epictetus Discourses I.22)

There are some preconceptions on which we all agree. After all, who does not think that good is beneficial, choice is desirable, and we should pursue them? Who does not assume that justice is fair and appropriate?

May 17, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Don’t Seek Admiration, Be Well-Grounded (Epictetus’ Discourses In Plain English 1.21)

It is the mark of a well-grounded person not to look for outside approval.

May 13, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

Use Reason To Evaluate Impressions Correctly (Discourses In Plain English 1.20)

We unthinkingly accept our first impressions as true. We are given the faculty of reason and yet we don’t use it. It is essential that we distinguish impressions correctly, because the choices we make are the source all good and evil.