The Stoic Magazine Library

Stoic quotes for every day of the month

Every time we wonder “what if,” every time we choose inaction because it is hard instead of because it is wrong, our strength of character atrophies; our chance of flourishing withers.

We most certainly can cultivate the skill to act in a courageous way over time, and it starts right here, right now.

A reservoir of courage is within us. Acknowledge and harness its power.

Seneca tells us that when a fiend dies, “We may weep, but we must not wail.” (Moral Letters, 63). I think for anyone, Stoic or not, grief is inevitable, but I did not let it overwhelm me.

In this letter addressed to his friend Lucilius, Seneca describes how our imaginary fears hold us back. Many of our fears are imaginary and we lack the courage to face them. We exaggerate, or imagine, or anticipate sorrow. We do not investigate the things that frighten us. We don’t examine them. We tremble and retreat. However, we can face them, examine them, and get rid of them.

Life is like a ball game – or some other game or sport – wisdom and virtue are like “being a good sport”, or being sportsmanlike and playing the game well.