The Stoic Magazine Library

Marcus Fronto, the tutor of Marcus Aurelius, talks about the pandemic that has been devastating the country. He says that death would be preferable under these circumsannces. Marcus Aurelius points out that death is a human experience common to every one of us and therefore cannot be good or bad.

People often ask me whether there’s any relationship between Stoic philosophy and Islam. The writings of arab Muslim scholar Al-Kindi may provide the best example of a more direct link between Islam and Stoicism.

As an infant, you're unable to speak and so can't question things logically. You follow your instincts and learn by copying people around you. 

Think of others as yourself - How should a Stoic treat others? Here is a piece of advice from Hierocles:

The ancient Stoic philosophers were very interested in food. They talk both about what we should eat and how we should eat it, if we want to live wisely and gain strength of character. For instance, Musonius Rufus often talked in a very forceful manner about food, on the grounds that food was not an insignificant topic and that what one eats has significant consequences. In particular, he thought that mastering one’s appetites for food and drink was the beginning of and basis for self-control. 

Marcus is not impressed 

Marcus lived nearly five hundred years after Alexander died. Yet he’s still a figure who looms large for Marcus. He mentions Alexander five times altogether in Meditations. However, Marcus doesn’t revere Alexander for his military achievements, but views him from the perspective of Stoic philosophy, with a greater degree of cynicism regarding his love of conquest. Indeed, Marcus appears to have viewed Alexander’s legacy as short-lived. According to Herodian, another Roman historian: 

Ten Rules for Daily Life

The Golden Rule 

The Golden Rule, “Treat others as you would like to be treated by them” is one of the simplest and most influential of all ethical principles. Although the Golden Rule is most commonly associated with Christianity, it was arguably also implicit in many traditions, including Stoicism. 

The essence of Stoicism 

Epictetus says that the chief thing in life is to distinguish carefully between things that are up to us and things that are not. 

https://amzn.to/2SswfJ1The ancient Stoic philosophers were very interested in food. They talk both about what we should eat and how we should eat it, if we want to live wisely and gain strength of character. 

All psychological techniques described in the surviving Stoic writings are-grounded in one continual practice, paying attention to the way we use our judgment to form opinions, particularly our value judgments. 

A few years ago, when my daughter Poppy was four, she began asking me to tell her stories. I didn’t know any children’s stories, so I told her what came to mind: stories about Greek myths, heroes, and philosophers. One of her favorites is about the Athenian general Xenophon.

Canadian Stoicism 

There’s is a growing reaction against the vapidity of modern life. A number of young Canadians have become disillusioned with the relentless march of social media, celebrity culture, consumerism, and other potentially soul-destroying forces. Many of them are turning to a surprising source of help and consolation: the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. 

Walking since the time of Socrates 

Socrates was known for walking barefoot. His student Antisthenes, who inspired the Cynics and Stoics, likewise walked barefoot for miles to listen to him talk each day. It’s said they were both good friends with a shoe-maker called Simon. The Cynic philosopher Diogenes used to say that both mental and physical training are required to become a true philosopher. Constant physical exercise that is in accord with nature leads to a ful-filled life. 

Prayer as a form of self-improvement