A Stoic is someone who follows the ancient Greek philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means to overcome destructive emotions. The core idea is that we can’t control external events, but we can control our reactions to them.
Stoics believe in accepting things as they are, focusing on what’s within our control, and cultivating virtues like wisdom, courage, and justice. It’s all about maintaining inner peace regardless of life's ups and downs.
Famous Stoics include figures like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, who emphasized practical advice for living a good life. For instance, Epictetus famously said, "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." Being a Stoic is about developing a resilient mindset and finding strength in adversity while living in accordance with nature and reason. In movies and real life, people often call someone who seems to contemplate a situation without reacting emotionally, a Stoic, or "cold". If you don't respond to drama (like someone dying) with tears, anger, or a display of requisite emotions, you may get called a Stoic.
Now, once upon a time in ancient Rome, there was a philosopher-king named Marcus Aurelius. You might think being an emperor means lounging on a golden throne, but Marcus had a different idea. Instead of writing grand speeches for the public, he penned a little something just for himself called "Meditations." Imagine your diary, written in your second language (Greek) that’s also a manual for living your best life, but instead of sharing it with the world, you kept it as your own private treasure. Until it gets found after your death and deemed necessary to publish for future generations.
"Meditations" is like a personal pep talk, filled with reflections on the challenges of life, duty, and the nature of existence. It’s as if Aurelius was whispering to himself, reminding his soul to stay calm amidst the chaos of ruling an empire. He had a way of turning everyday struggles into nuggets of wisdom. He wrote, "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." That's quite the reminder to keep things positive...
Another gem from his writings is, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." It’s almost like he was giving himself a nudge to focus on what truly matters.
"Meditations" was rediscovered and began to be printed in the 16th century, starting with a Latin translation in 1558. It was deemed that important that the recently-invented printing press was fired up. The Stoic-world is richer for this feather in its' cap. Philosophy gets its poster boy.
So, while most emperors were busy with their grand conquests, Marcus Aurelius was busy conquering his own thoughts. His philosophical musings offer timeless advice that still resonates today, proving that sometimes the best conversations are the ones we have with ourselves.
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Brent Antonson
Brent Antonson: Where Extraordinary Recall Sparks Insight.
