Blog Posts

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.

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

How To Act When You Meet The Powerful (Epictetus’ Discourses In Plain English 1.19)

This discourse discusses how we become arrogant when we think we are powerful. We also become subservient to others when we think that others are powerful. There is no need for this if we stop valuing external things.

May 6, 2017 - Ancient Stoicism in Plain English
Tag(s): Book Excerpts

No Need To Be Angry. Here’s Why. (Epictetus’ Discourses In Plain English 1.18)

People do what they do because it seems right to them. This is true even of thieves and adulterers. We should not be angry at them. We are angry because we value external things. When we train ourselves not to value externals, we will stop being angry at others.

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

Understand Why Logic Is Important (Epictetus’ Discourses In Plain English 1.17)

It is important for us to study logic so, when we engage with others, we can understand what is valid and what is not.