Stoicism is a complex system of ethics, metaphysics, and psychology – topics largely beyond the scope of this chapter. However, we can summarize Stoicism’s core beliefs in terms of ten main principles:

We are bothered by our opinions

“Things do not touch the soul,” as Marcus Aurelius put it. Rather, we are perturbed by “the opinion which is within [us]”. This is very much in the spirit of Buddhism, as we find in the Dhammapada: “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.” Shakespeare said much the same thing in Hamlet: “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

Being conscious of our mortality

We must always be conscious of our own mortality. As Marcus bluntly puts it, “Since it is possible that you may depart from life this very moment, regulate every act and thought accordingly.”  

Doing the right thing 

Doing the right thing is really the only thing that matters, and it lies at the very core of our self-respect. As Marcus puts it, “Never value anything as profitable to yourself which shall compel you to break your promise, to lose your self-respect, to hate anyone, to suspect, to curse [or] to act the hypocrite.” 

Facing adversity with courage

Adversity befalls all of us, and we must be prepared to deal with it courageously and forthrightly. We may also find that misfortune is a good teacher, if only we are open to receiving its lessons. As Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It, “Sweet are the uses of adversity”. 

Understanding we are not perfect

We should be realistic in assessing our own vices and virtues, and not demand perfection of either ourselves or others. We should not be overly-tolerant of our own failings, but neither should we castigate ourselves when we don’t achieve all that we had hoped. Seneca tells us, “What progress…have I made? I have begun to be a friend to myself.” 

Accepting things as they are

We need to accept the universe for what it is, and live in harmony with it, without railing against our “fate” or bemoaning “what might have been.” Marcus Aurelius writes that nothing ever happens to us that “…is not conformable to the nature of the universe,” however perverse or unfair it may seem. The Stoic view is similar to that of the 8th century Buddhist sage and bodhisattva, Shantideva, who said, “Why be unhappy about something if it can be fixed? If it cannot be fixed, what does being unhappy help?” 

Living in the present

We need to live in the “here-and-now.” As Marcus says, “Leave the past to itself, entrust the future to providence, and content yourself with bringing holiness and justice to the present.” This is quite similar to the Buddhist teaching, “Do not pursue the past. Do not lose yourself in the future…[look] deeply at life as it is, in the very here and now…” (from the Bhaddekaratta Sutta). 

Ignoring other people’s opinions

We should not be overly affected by the opinions of others, particularly as regards our own sense of self-worth and moral obligation. Thus, Marcus asks, “Will any man despise me? Let him see to it. But I will see to it that I may not be found doing or saying anything that deserves to be despised.” As Keith Seddon puts it in his discussion of Epictetus, those who adhere to Stoicism “…must hold to and persist in what they know is best, no matter how cruelly they may be jeered.” [K. Seddon, Epictetus’ Handbook and the Tablet of Cebes: Guides to Stoic Living, 2007] 

Understanding our connection to others

We are all united in the common bond of being. The Stoics believed that “…all things are woven together, and the common bond is sacred” (Marcus Aurelius). Therefore, we must scrupulously avoid senseless hatred and ill will toward our fellow human beings. Indeed, we must cultivate compassion and empathy for all. 

Being true to ourselves

We must remain true to our inner nature, and must keep our character pure. The Stoics believed that we must always be aware of our innermost values and beliefs, and not be constantly sounding out others as a guide to our lives. Marcus admonishes us to “abide with the Divinity that is within” – a concept that has affinities with the “Buddha nature” that resides within each of us.  [modified from Ronald W. Pies, MD, The Three-Petalled Rose, 2013]

Ron Pies MD, psychiatrist and educator, compares Stoic thought with Buddhism and Judaism (juBuSto), and finds parallels. He is the Author of Three Petalled Rose and many other books.

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