The Stoic Magazine Library

Many years ago, Maureen, a friend of mine at that time, seemed to be constantly upset and ang ry about the state of the world, especially about social injustices. Wishing to cheer her up, I quoted the following verses from Dhammapada (a sort of Buddhist Enchiridion), hoping that it would calm her down and let her see things from a different perspecive:

“To maximize your ability to do good in the world, don’t find motivation through anger or bitterness. Allow yourself to be happy, and share your happiness with others.”

“The Stoics have offered us invaluable lessons in the dangers of failing to discipline our passions.”

“We accept that we in fact control far less than our predecessors believed they could. We accept that we “lose” control of some mental territory.”

“I still grieve for my cat companion, to the point of feeling sadness and shedding tears, but I can also deliberately choose to shift my mind’s focus to the wonderful memories of the life we shared together."

“While the Stoics encourage us to allow for a natural release of emotion in the form of grief, they also remind us that in our mourning we should not become so overwhelmed that it prevents us from flourishing.”

“In plain English, we might say that a Stoic must balance the following: what is useful to the world and society, and what your strengths and interests are.”

“Give all your attention to the task, and don’t look back. Ask yourself in moments of contemplation, ‘how could I be better? How could I serve better?’ ”

“It is never too late to become less stupid.”

Stoic quotes for every day of the month