The Stoic Magazine Library

If we’re to inspire by example, we must live our lives in an exemplary way.

One useful way to approach this kind of situation is to ask yourself why it matters to you whether other people understand or even know about Stoicism.

Maintain your Stoic centre to help yourself and loved ones

While each of us is called to our own lives, and while our life circumstances and experiences will be different, we will always have the option to be joyful – even in the face of extreme difficulty.

While each of us is called to our own lives, and while our life circumstances and experiences will be different, we will always have the option to be joyful – even in the face of extreme difficulty.

A Stoic can be ambitious and successful, provided that their ambition remains in service of virtue rather than the other way around.

What is important is to realize we are constantly making snap judgments and kicking our emotions into overdrive about others and anything in life. Instead of having pity, regarding the beggar, we can potentially think of the obligation we may have to help the person.

By treating Stoicism as a means to an end, it sharpens the wrong side of the blade. It makes us more likely to harm others by committing immoral and vicious acts exceedingly well.

By acting in service to others, you are acting in service to yourself. In directing your energies outward, you are improving yourself inwardly.

Each of the four cardinal virtues includes a number of subordinate virtues.