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February 17 - December 29, 2022
External advantages such as wealth may create more opportunities but in themselves they simply don’t have the kind of value that can ever define a good life.
Stoicism was never intended to be doctrinaire.
The Stoics adopted the Socratic division of cardinal virtues into wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation.
Stoic rhetoric identified five “virtues” of speech: 1. Correct grammar and good vocabulary 2. Clarity of expression, making the ideas easily understood 3. Conciseness, employing no more words than necessary 4. Appropriateness of style, suited to the subject matter and apparently also to the audience 5. Distinction, or artistic excellence, and the avoidance of vulgarity
The way we talk and think about events involves making value judgments, which shape our feelings.
“It’s not things that upset us but our judgments about things,”
anger is nothing but temporary madness and that its consequences are often irreparable,
that a wise man should welcome criticism from his friends.
speech should not only be honest and simple but also appropriate to the needs of the hearer.
Correcting someone else’s vices, Marcus says, is like pointing out that they have bad breath—it requires considerable tact.
show gratitude “not to those who flatter us but to those who rebuke us.”
During your morning meditation, consider what tasks you have to complete and what challenges you must overcome.
Throughout the day, try continually to be self-aware, as if a wise mentor or teacher is observing you.
watch out for subtle feelings of anger, fear, sadness, or unhealthy desires, as well as bad habits.
During your evening meditation, review how things actually went, perhaps going over the key events of the day two or three times in your mind’s eye.
Regarding the morning meditation, Galen says that as soon as you rise from bed and begin considering each of the tasks ahead, you should ask yourself two questions: 1. What would the consequences be if you acted as a slave to your passions? 2. How would your day differ if you acted more rationally, exhibiting wisdom and self-discipline?
Remember: the fundamental goal of life for Stoics, the highest good, is to act consistently in accord with reason and virtue.
