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 defined the same four principles…
It’s all too easy to take on too much. Whether it be work or personal commitments, the more we say yes to, the harder it is to balance everything. We try to multitask, we try to increase our work-rate to get tasks ticked off - we end up getting stressed. With deadlines looming or with…
If my calculations are correct, today’s post completes a run of posting one article per week for every week of 2020. The articles have included interviews, exercises, and essays both short and long. While I’m pleased to have maintained the consistency, I’m more pleased that people have actually been reading what I’ve been publishing. Some…
The Stoics have always been known for their commitment to preparation. Think of Cato immunizing himself against future hardship by inviting insults and leaving his home barefoot, or Seneca advising Lucilius that “It is precisely in times of immunity from care that the soul should toughen itself beforehand for occasions of greater stress.” The old…
Something crazy happens every day I worry about the future. About 150,000 people die. I don’t think I’m causing it but still, it’s another incentive to stop. Things I worry about: Will I hit this or that "life milestone" by this or that age?Will I achieve as much as those around me?Will I have the…
The more you learn about Stoicism, the more you realise the philosophy’s principles are at work in places other than just books by the Stoics or about them. It becomes easier to spot ideas that are complementary to the Stoic way of life. It even feels appropriate to make the effort to do so given…
Cato the Younger was a politician and statesman in the late Roman Republic. He is remembered for his stubbornness, tenacity, immunity to bribes, and his unbending opposition to Julius Caesar (so unbending that he preferred death to being ruled by Caesar). He was a Stoic who exemplified virtue. When he was made quaestor in 65…
“Music, maestro, please!” With a flourish, the maestro assumes control of the orchestra. Waving his wand with vigour yet control, he directs his charges. Magically, he draws harmonious sound from the different groups of instruments. The maestro sets the tempo. She synchronizes. She permits entry to the various ensemble members. She shapes the whole performance.…
Before a big game between Manchester United and Juventus in 1996, United’s Eric Cantona sparked a row with Juve’s Didier Deschamps.“He gets by because he gives 100%, but he will never be more than a water carrier,” said Cantona. The "water carrier” label, used disparaginly by Cantona in this case, was also the nickname given…
From time to time, you experience the deflating realisation that you are sick of yourself. You grow weary because familiar sets of circumstances that shouldn’t cause disturbance cause disturbance. Disturbance enough that simple tasks are a burden. Oh, this again - why do you do this to yourself? Negativity then begets negativity. The reaction to…