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…
For those wondering how to practice Stoic negative visualisation, the good news is that it can easily be done by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Similar to other ancient Stoic techniques with a virtuous motivation like writing in a journal and practising voluntary hardship, negative visualisation doesn't require the aspiring…
Stoic from beginning to end Marcus Aurelius was a man who lived by the Stoic laws, which so capably go into making a virtuous man. He did this by nature and also by learned practices, all the way from his youth to his dying breath: Adorn thyself with simplicity and…
Born into slavery Now, it’s no secret that steadfast character can be born out of strife and the philosopher, Epictetus, who lived to the ripe old age of 80, was no stranger to strife. He was born into slavery in A.D. 55, in what is now known as Pamukkale, Turkey…
A dramatist dramatised Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s story reads like a soap opera; a fact that certainly didn’t go unnoticed by poets and playwrights throughout the 2000 years since he walked the earth. Chaucer, Dante, Montdeverdi, they all found special places for Seneca the Younger in their works. As a Stoic,…
Who was Cato The Younger? Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis is a name that may well come up when you Google the word ‘Stoic,’ but you won’t find a list of comprehensive philosophical works by the man. Rather, Cato the Younger is famed for the influence he had on the politics…
Early Life In his considerable lifespan of around 72 years, from 334 to 262 BC, Zeno of Citium found the time to make quite a few waves. His teachings have been influential enough for astronomers to name a crater on the moon after him and what’s more, he was, in…
Tim Ferriss - Modern Stoic Tim Ferriss is the well-known author of The 4-Hour Workweek, (and The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef and Tools of Titans), host of the excellent podcast The Tim Ferriss Show, and self-confessed human guinea pig. Being a strong proponent of Stoicism, Tim's experiments are often inspired…