Stoics view adversity, or developments contrary to one’s wishes, as misjudged in various ways we can now consider. Adversity is a raw material needed for building strong things. To adjust the comparison: an unwanted card has been dealt, or the dice have come up a certain way; the Stoic goal is to avoid even the feeling of “oh, no” wherever possible on these occasions, and to replace it with sentiments closer to “now what?” or “let’s see what can be done with this.” The work of life is to turn whatever happens to constructive ends. That is the most important Stoic idea about adversity, and a
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