Blog Posts

March 24, 2020 - The Stoic Gym Blog
Tag(s): Book Excerpts || Stoicism ||

How To Make Or Break Habits

When we quickly judge a person or a situation, we do so out of habit, not out of careful consideration. In fact, most of our judgments about people and situations are based on habits. If our habits are faulty so will our judgments be.

December 9, 2019 - The Stoic Gym Blog
Tag(s): Stoicism ||

Stoicism: My One-Minute Elevator Pitch

I have been practicing some form of Stoicism practically all my life. But I don’t talk about it. I generally avoid talking to others about my beliefs mainly because I need to explain them to those who don’t know what they are, ‘defend’ them when they are misunderstood and...

December 6, 2019 - The Stoic Gym Blog
Tag(s): Stoicism ||

The Trichotomy Fallacy

At the heart of Stoicism lies the concept of the dichotomy of ‘control’: "Some things are up to us and others are not."

July 17, 2018 - Book Reviews
Tag(s): Book Reviews ||

Book Review: Stoicism: A Very Short Introduction

Stoicism: A Very Short Introduction by Brad Inwood is an outstanding introduction to Stoicism. In its structure, exposition and clarity, it is unlike any other introductory book on Stoicism.

June 13, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses ||

Freedom from Divulging Confidences

1. If someone confides in you, you don’t have to confide back. 2. You confide in someone only if that person is trustworthy. 3. As a rule, confidences require good faith and judgments that go with it.

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

Freedom from Mind Wandering

1. When you let your mind wander, you can’t bring it back whenever you like. 2. You should constantly keep the basic principles at hand. 3. Practice the basic principles. Don’t worry about pleasing others.

June 7, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses ||

Freedom From Impurities

1. Cleanliness is a human trait. 2. The first purity is the purity of the mind. 3. But we should keep our bodies clean as well. 4. You will be credible when your physical appearance supports you. 5. Beautify your inner qualities, but don’t neglect your outer appearance

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

Freedom from Anxieties

When you are anxious about the future, you are mostly concerned with what is not under your control.

May 30, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses ||

Freedom From Following the Wrong Course

When you see someone with things you don’t have don’t envy. Think of what you have in their place.

May 26, 2018 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Epictetus' Discourses ||

Freedom from Hasty Judgments

1. Actions are neutral. What makes them good or bad is the judgment on which they were based. 2. Don’t be carried away be external appearances and make hasty judgments. 3. What a person does is more important than what he claims he is.