This short explainer will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what Memento Mori is and how you can use it in your Stoic practice. Definition Of Memento Mori The phrase “memento mori” is Latin for “remember you must die.” It is a reflection on the impermanence of life and…
Stoic philosophy is driven by four guiding virtues - wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. They are the principles that students should seek to practice if they are to exemplify the character of a Stoic. The virtues are thought to be derived from the teachings of the Greek philosopher Plato, who…
If you're new to Stoicism, or just in need of a refresher, here are 101 short sentences covering the key concepts of the philosophy! Origins Stoicism was founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens around 300 BC. The name is derived from the “Stoa Poikile” (“Painted Porch”) where Zeno taught…
One of the great things about Stoic spiritual exercises—including Stoic negative visualisation—is that they can generally be done by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Similar to other ancient Stoic techniques like writing in a journal and practising voluntary hardship, negative visualisation doesn't require the aspiring Stoic to be in a…
Stoic from beginning to end Thanks to three surviving histories, we know more about the life of Marcus Aurelius than perhaps any other Stoic or ancient philosopher. Cassius Dio's Roman History, Herodian's History of the Empire from the Death of Marcus, and the multi-authored Augustan History give us valuable insights…
Born into slavery When he became a teacher of Stoicism, the philosopher Epictetus told his students that a person’s caliber is revealed by difficult circumstances. So, when a difficulty occurs, they should think of it as God pitting them, as a trainer might, against a tough training partner. It wasn't…
A dramatist dramatised Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s story reads like a soap opera. This fact hasn't gone unnoticed by poets, composers, and playwrights throughout the 2000 years since he walked the earth. Chaucer, Dante, Monteverdi, and more found special places for the man known as Seneca the Younger in their works.…
Who was Cato the Younger? Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis was born in Rome in 95 BC. He is famed for his influence on the politics and politicians of early Rome, which was based on Cato’s strong Stoic affinity. He was a rare example of a politician who didn’t just talk…
Early Life We’re told by the Greek Stoic Persaeus, in his Ethical Discourses, that Zeno of Citium had a lifespan of around 72 years, from roughly 334 to 262 BC. It was enough time for him to make quite a few waves. Most notably, he was the founder of Stoicism.…
Tim Ferriss - Modern Stoic Tim Ferriss is the well-known author of The 4-Hour Workweek, (plus The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, and Tools of Titans), host of the excellent podcast The Tim Ferriss Show, and self-described human guinea pig. Being a strong proponent of Stoicism, Tim's experiments are often inspired…