Stoic Meditations

These good things which men gaze at in wonder, which they crowd to see, which one points out to another with speechless admiration, are outwardly brilliant, but within are miseries to those who possess them. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Nothing gets us into greater troubles than our subservience to common rumor, living not by reason but by imitation of others. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca advises his brother, and us, not to listen to the random "shouts and clamors" of people, but to reflect carefully on what happiness is and how to achieve it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

We know that certain things are features of the world. Like the existence of annoying people. Do not wish them away, because that is impossible. Rather, teach them, or bear with them. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Do not expect Plato’s Republic: but be content if the smallest thing goes on well, and consider such an event to be no small matter. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

In a word, if there is a god, all is well; and if chance rules, do not also be governed by it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Other people's opinions are not under your control, so focus instead on your own judgments and decisions to act or not to act. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

As you yourself are a component part of a social system, so let every act of yours be a component part of social life. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

All things are changing: and you yourself are in continuous mutation and in a manner in continuous destruction, and the whole universe, too. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Things stand outside of us, themselves by themselves, neither knowing anything of themselves nor expressing any judgment. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Today I have got out of all trouble, or rather I have cast out all trouble, for it was not outside, but within and in my opinions. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Labor not as one who is wretched, nor yet as one who would be pitied or admired; but direct your will to one thing only: to act or not to act as social reason requires. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

If you are able, correct by teaching those who do wrong; but if you cannot, remember that indulgence is given to you for this purpose. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

He who does wrong does wrong against himself. He who acts unjustly acts unjustly to himself, because he makes himself bad. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Our fear of pain and our desire for pleasure sometimes lead to injustice. Let that not be the case. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius thinks injustice is a type of impiety against the cosmos. Modern Stoics have updated the concept, since we don't believe the universe to be a sentient living being. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

From a Stoic point of view, there is absolutely nothing more important in life than to exercise our virtue in order to help our fellow brothers and sisters of the human cosmopolis. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

The wise person will not pity others, but will help them and be of service to them, seeing that he is born to be a help to all people and a public benefit. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca details the characteristics of the ideal ruler. We should look for the same in the people who govern us. And in ourselves. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

No school of philosophy is more gentle and benign, none is more full of love towards man or more anxious to promote the happiness of all. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support