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One like = one opinion on Stoicism.
Inspired by @vgr, I'm tweeting an opinion about Stoic philosophy for every like this tweet gets.
We'll see how much I have to say about this—and how much you want me to jabber on about philosophy.
Inspired by @vgr, I'm tweeting an opinion about Stoic philosophy for every like this tweet gets.
We'll see how much I have to say about this—and how much you want me to jabber on about philosophy.
1/ After thinking about it a lot, I genuinely think all of reality falls in two categories:
• Things you control.
• Things you don't control.
Striving for something is within your control, but the outcome isn't.
• Things you control.
• Things you don't control.
Striving for something is within your control, but the outcome isn't.
2/ There's no use to fret over things outside your control.
It's better to work with fate rather than against it. You can fight a current, but often it's better to go with the flow.
It's better to work with fate rather than against it. You can fight a current, but often it's better to go with the flow.
3/ There are only four things truly worth striving for:
• Wisdom
• Courage
• Justice
• Moderation
Everything else is just noise. Externals don't make you happy, but cultivating character strengths does.
• Wisdom
• Courage
• Justice
• Moderation
Everything else is just noise. Externals don't make you happy, but cultivating character strengths does.
4/ Everything is in a web of cause and effect.
Understanding fate will help you accept fate—the things that happen around and to you and that are outside your control.
Understanding fate will help you accept fate—the things that happen around and to you and that are outside your control.
5/ Rationality can help us make sense of reality.
Maybe we're unable to grasp all of reality, but as humans, we can think and make conscious choices.
Using rationality, we can set a course of action that's in line with what's best for us and the whole.
Maybe we're unable to grasp all of reality, but as humans, we can think and make conscious choices.
Using rationality, we can set a course of action that's in line with what's best for us and the whole.
6/ Be like the Stoic archer.
Aim for your goals, but don’t grow attached to the outcome.
Aim for your goals, but don’t grow attached to the outcome.
7/ There is a God, and you and I are part of it.
I don’t believe God is a sky daddy. God is not a person.
God is Nature, which is everyone and everything. Like cells make a body, so do we make the living organism that's Nature.
I don’t believe God is a sky daddy. God is not a person.
God is Nature, which is everyone and everything. Like cells make a body, so do we make the living organism that's Nature.
8/ If we’re all part of the Whole, taking care of you means I’m taking care of myself.
Or as Marcus Aurelius once said:
“We are born to work together, just like the feet, just like the hands. ... Working against each other is unnatural.”
Or as Marcus Aurelius once said:
“We are born to work together, just like the feet, just like the hands. ... Working against each other is unnatural.”
9/ Suffering happens in the mind.
Like Epictetus said: “It’s not events that disturb us, but our judgments of those events.”
Challenge your labels every time you think something horrible has happened.
Like Epictetus said: “It’s not events that disturb us, but our judgments of those events.”
Challenge your labels every time you think something horrible has happened.
10/ Nobody does harm on purpose; it's their ignorance that blinds them.
When someone harms another because they think they gain something, they’re not evil but mistaken about what truly would benefit them.
Philosophy helps us see reality more clearly and rid us of ignorance.
When someone harms another because they think they gain something, they’re not evil but mistaken about what truly would benefit them.
Philosophy helps us see reality more clearly and rid us of ignorance.
11/ Nothing is permanent.
When something challenges your character, endure and remind yourself:
“This too shall pass.”
When something challenges your character, endure and remind yourself:
“This too shall pass.”
