The Stoic Magazine Library

“Between the initial impulse and our reaction, there is a small amount of time during which we can use reason to decide what we are going to do about it.”

“The circles of concern remind us of the power that comes in embracing all of humanity and the entire planet for everyone’s sake, including our own.”

“So here’s to “what you make of it,” no matter what “it” is.”

“You have all the raw material to become wise, courageous, self-controlled, fair, and benevolent toward others.”

“Holding to our true aspirations no matter what is going on around us is an endeavour that naturally arises from courage, moderation, justice, and wisdom.”

“"Nature" is what's out there, beyond our cities and suburbs. Nature is the wilderness, plains and hills, jungles and oceans of the Earth.”

“So let’s remember, as we look for moral teachers, that while theory is important, so is

“I think a great number of people get into Stoicism because they think that it is Silicon Valley’s secret sauce. Unfortunately, many such people hack their way into Stoicism not because they want to improve their character, but because they really want to be rich and powerful.”

“What are tragic stories except descriptions of people who went after external things that were not under their control, failed, and as a result, suffered?” - Epictetus, Discourses, 1.4

“Holding to our true aspirations no matter what is going on around us is an endeavour that naturally arises from courage, moderation, justice, and wisdom.”

“I need to comprehend a given stressful situation not in terms of a personal challenge, but in terms of objective obligations, expectations and commitments. This and that needs to be done? Okay, it needs to be done in a certain way.”

“You don´t just need discomfort to acquire virtue, but to be virtuous. Like the red queen in Alice in Wonderland you need to run, just to stay in place. It´s not like once you reached virtue it's nothing but smooth sailing.”

“So instead of giving in to pity, let’s train ourselves to truly help others by showing rational love and Stoic goodwill.”

“A study led by researchers at Harvard confirmed what modern Stoics already knew: It’s not the situation itself that causes our emotional turmoil, it’s how we think about it..”

“Wake up to the simple exquisite now. To this. Not to what could be, not to more would be better, but to a deep appreciation of the supposed minor details of everyday life.”