The Stoic Magazine Library

When something happens in the world and it raises an impression in you, take a beat. Before committing to your immediate response, ask yourself: Can this affect my capacity for being a good person? Is this even true?

One can take the false lessons of the false Stoics and handle adversity well while never developing their character.

Stoicism is not and never has been about self-actualization alone. It has always been about finding our place in the cosmos and among our peers.

Stoicism doesn’t need to be complicated. Tempted as we might be to quibble about the details of Stoic theory – and trust me, I do this plenty often myself – we can easily lose sight of the only thing that really matters about Stoicism: trying to be a good person.

Stoics care. But sometimes, we need to know our limits.

You can be placid and calm, merely observing and reflecting back what you think the world wants to see in you. Or you can be vibrant and participatory, giving space for both yourself and others to flourish through your actions.

Pleasure is but one byproduct that comes from living well. And we shouldn’t feel guilty that we feel pleasure from time to time, especially if that pleasure comes from doing those right things.

Who cares if you do one incredibly brave thing in some pivotal moment if in all the quiet moments of your life, you chose to be unkind, inconsiderate, intemperate, and foolish?

Stoicism calls for us to live our lives unafraid of facing adversity. Because though we may struggle, it is in the struggling that we learn.

When we feel guilty for something, we need to take it as a signal to analyze our judgments.

When we feel guilty for something, we need to take it as a signal to analyze our judgments.

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 need one another. Just as you would come to the aid of a friend in need, we should be quick to let our friends know when we need their help.