Stoicism: How to Use Stoic Philosophy to Find Inner Peace and Happiness

by Jason Hemlock

“If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.” – Epictetus

we make a choice as to how we react and respond to things. It is the only real power we have.

Stoic approach is to strive to remain indifferent to external forces

once you’ve mastered this skill, you experience a release from being ruled by emotion and conversely enjoy a greater control over your life.

As Seneca wrote, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.”

Imagination can manifest many problems

Stoicism teaches tolerance and acceptance of others

Can be a struggle sometimes especially with behavioural people

happiness is to be found within, rather than through, external events,

“You can’t be going through the day distracted by trivia.”

“You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.”- Epicurus