Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

May 3, 2016 Massimo Virtue Ethics

I have now studied and practiced Stoicism seriously for

more than a year and a half. I still have a long way to go

on both theory and praxis, but I have gradually

accumulated a number of favorite Stoic reminders, as

well as developed my own summaries of Stoic doctrine

and list of concepts I find particularly useful. Here they

are, presented as a vademecum, a handy reminder that one can bookmark

or print out and keep in one’s pocket. (a downloadable pdf version is here)

Fundamental principles:

Virtue is the highest good, everything else is “indifferent.” The Stoics got

the first part from Socrates, who argued that virtue is the chief good

because it is the only thing that is good under all circumstances, and

indeed helps us make proper use of things like health, wealth, and

education. Everything else is “indifferent” in the specifically Stoic sense

that it is not to be traded against virtue. The Stoic can pursue the

preferred indifferents and try to stay away from the dispreferred ones,

so long as this doesn’t interfere with virtue. In economics, this is called

a system of lexicographic preferences.

Follow nature, that is, apply reason to social life. The Stoics thought that

we should get a hint from the cosmos (studying what they called

physics) to figure out how to live our lives (ethics). Since human beings

are social animals capable of reason (logic), it follows that we

should strive to apply the latter to the former.

Dichotomy of control: some things are under our control, others are not

(though we may be able to influence them). Under our control — if we

are mentally healthy — are our decisions and behaviors. Outside of our

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

Search …

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Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

May 3, 2016 Massimo Virtue Ethics

I have now studied and practiced Stoicism seriously for

more than a year and a half. I still have a long way to go

on both theory and praxis, but I have gradually

accumulated a number of favorite Stoic reminders, as

well as developed my own summaries of Stoic doctrine

and list of concepts I find particularly useful. Here they

are, presented as a vademecum, a handy reminder that one can bookmark

or print out and keep in one’s pocket. (a downloadable pdf version is here)

Fundamental principles:

Virtue is the highest good, everything else is “indifferent.” The Stoics got

the first part from Socrates, who argued that virtue is the chief good

because it is the only thing that is good under all circumstances, and

indeed helps us make proper use of things like health, wealth, and

education. Everything else is “indifferent” in the specifically Stoic sense

that it is not to be traded against virtue. The Stoic can pursue the

preferred indifferents and try to stay away from the dispreferred ones,

so long as this doesn’t interfere with virtue. In economics, this is called

a system of lexicographic preferences.

Follow nature, that is, apply reason to social life. The Stoics thought that

we should get a hint from the cosmos (studying what they called

physics) to figure out how to live our lives (ethics). Since human beings

are social animals capable of reason (logic), it follows that we

should strive to apply the latter to the former.

Dichotomy of control: some things are under our control, others are not

(though we may be able to influence them). Under our control — if we

are mentally healthy — are our decisions and behaviors. Outside of our

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

Search …

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Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

HOW TO BE A STOICan evolving guide to practical Stoicism for the 21st century

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Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

May 3, 2016 Massimo Virtue Ethics

I have now studied and practiced Stoicism seriously for

more than a year and a half. I still have a long way to go

on both theory and praxis, but I have gradually

accumulated a number of favorite Stoic reminders, as

well as developed my own summaries of Stoic doctrine

and list of concepts I find particularly useful. Here they

are, presented as a vademecum, a handy reminder that one can bookmark

or print out and keep in one’s pocket. (a downloadable pdf version is here)

Fundamental principles:

Virtue is the highest good, everything else is “indifferent.” The Stoics got

the first part from Socrates, who argued that virtue is the chief good

because it is the only thing that is good under all circumstances, and

indeed helps us make proper use of things like health, wealth, and

education. Everything else is “indifferent” in the specifically Stoic sense

that it is not to be traded against virtue. The Stoic can pursue the

preferred indifferents and try to stay away from the dispreferred ones,

so long as this doesn’t interfere with virtue. In economics, this is called

a system of lexicographic preferences.

Follow nature, that is, apply reason to social life. The Stoics thought that

we should get a hint from the cosmos (studying what they called

physics) to figure out how to live our lives (ethics). Since human beings

are social animals capable of reason (logic), it follows that we

should strive to apply the latter to the former.

Dichotomy of control: some things are under our control, others are not

(though we may be able to influence them). Under our control — if we

are mentally healthy — are our decisions and behaviors. Outside of our

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

Search …

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YOU ARE FOLLOWING

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Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

HOW TO BE A STOICan evolving guide to practical Stoicism for the 21st century

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Home by Massimo Collections Meditations Books Stoicism 101 Stoic Camp NY STOICON

Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

May 3, 2016 Massimo Virtue Ethics

I have now studied and practiced Stoicism seriously for

more than a year and a half. I still have a long way to go

on both theory and praxis, but I have gradually

accumulated a number of favorite Stoic reminders, as

well as developed my own summaries of Stoic doctrine

and list of concepts I find particularly useful. Here they

are, presented as a vademecum, a handy reminder that one can bookmark

or print out and keep in one’s pocket. (a downloadable pdf version is here)

Fundamental principles:

Virtue is the highest good, everything else is “indifferent.” The Stoics got

the first part from Socrates, who argued that virtue is the chief good

because it is the only thing that is good under all circumstances, and

indeed helps us make proper use of things like health, wealth, and

education. Everything else is “indifferent” in the specifically Stoic sense

that it is not to be traded against virtue. The Stoic can pursue the

preferred indifferents and try to stay away from the dispreferred ones,

so long as this doesn’t interfere with virtue. In economics, this is called

a system of lexicographic preferences.

Follow nature, that is, apply reason to social life. The Stoics thought that

we should get a hint from the cosmos (studying what they called

physics) to figure out how to live our lives (ethics). Since human beings

are social animals capable of reason (logic), it follows that we

should strive to apply the latter to the former.

Dichotomy of control: some things are under our control, others are not

(though we may be able to influence them). Under our control — if we

are mentally healthy — are our decisions and behaviors. Outside of our

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

Search …

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Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

HOW TO BE A STOICan evolving guide to practical Stoicism for the 21st century

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Home by Massimo Collections Meditations Books Stoicism 101 Stoic Camp NY STOICON

Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

May 3, 2016 Massimo Virtue Ethics

I have now studied and practiced Stoicism seriously for

more than a year and a half. I still have a long way to go

on both theory and praxis, but I have gradually

accumulated a number of favorite Stoic reminders, as

well as developed my own summaries of Stoic doctrine

and list of concepts I find particularly useful. Here they

are, presented as a vademecum, a handy reminder that one can bookmark

or print out and keep in one’s pocket. (a downloadable pdf version is here)

Fundamental principles:

Virtue is the highest good, everything else is “indifferent.” The Stoics got

the first part from Socrates, who argued that virtue is the chief good

because it is the only thing that is good under all circumstances, and

indeed helps us make proper use of things like health, wealth, and

education. Everything else is “indifferent” in the specifically Stoic sense

that it is not to be traded against virtue. The Stoic can pursue the

preferred indifferents and try to stay away from the dispreferred ones,

so long as this doesn’t interfere with virtue. In economics, this is called

a system of lexicographic preferences.

Follow nature, that is, apply reason to social life. The Stoics thought that

we should get a hint from the cosmos (studying what they called

physics) to figure out how to live our lives (ethics). Since human beings

are social animals capable of reason (logic), it follows that we

should strive to apply the latter to the former.

Dichotomy of control: some things are under our control, others are not

(though we may be able to influence them). Under our control — if we

are mentally healthy — are our decisions and behaviors. Outside of our

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

Search …

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Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

HOW TO BE A STOICan evolving guide to practical Stoicism for the 21st century

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Home by Massimo Collections Meditations Books Stoicism 101 Stoic Camp NY STOICON

Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

May 3, 2016 Massimo Virtue Ethics

I have now studied and practiced Stoicism seriously for

more than a year and a half. I still have a long way to go

on both theory and praxis, but I have gradually

accumulated a number of favorite Stoic reminders, as

well as developed my own summaries of Stoic doctrine

and list of concepts I find particularly useful. Here they

are, presented as a vademecum, a handy reminder that one can bookmark

or print out and keep in one’s pocket. (a downloadable pdf version is here)

Fundamental principles:

Virtue is the highest good, everything else is “indifferent.” The Stoics got

the first part from Socrates, who argued that virtue is the chief good

because it is the only thing that is good under all circumstances, and

indeed helps us make proper use of things like health, wealth, and

education. Everything else is “indifferent” in the specifically Stoic sense

that it is not to be traded against virtue. The Stoic can pursue the

preferred indifferents and try to stay away from the dispreferred ones,

so long as this doesn’t interfere with virtue. In economics, this is called

a system of lexicographic preferences.

Follow nature, that is, apply reason to social life. The Stoics thought that

we should get a hint from the cosmos (studying what they called

physics) to figure out how to live our lives (ethics). Since human beings

are social animals capable of reason (logic), it follows that we

should strive to apply the latter to the former.

Dichotomy of control: some things are under our control, others are not

(though we may be able to influence them). Under our control — if we

are mentally healthy — are our decisions and behaviors. Outside of our

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

Search …

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Basic Stoicism: a handy vademecum

HOW TO BE A STOICan evolving guide to practical Stoicism for the 21st century

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Basic Stoicism a handy vademecum How to Be a Stoic.pdfSalvataggio in Dropbox • 12 dic 2016, 09J12

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

TOP POSTS

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

TOP POSTS

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

TOP POSTS

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

TOP POSTS

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

TOP POSTS

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

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control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

TOP POSTS

control is everything else. This means that we should concern

ourselves with the first category, and accept everything else with

equanimity.

Four virtues to practice:

1. (Practical) wisdom, the ability to navigate complex situations in the best

available fashion.

2. Courage, not just physical but moral: we try to do the right thing under

all circumstances.

3. Justice, not in the sense of an abstract theory, but in that of treating

every human being — regardless of his or her stature in life — with

fairness and kindness.

4. Temperance, attempting to exercise moderation and self-control in all

spheres of life.

Key words to remember:

Amathia = ignorance in the sense of lack of wisdom, leads to what is

commonly conceived as “evil” behavior.

Aretê = excellence at one’s function, to be applied both to whatever

one happens to be doing in life and, especially, to the practice of virtue.

Prokoptôn / (pl.) Prokoptontes = someone who is making progress as a

Stoic. Hopefully, we all are.

Prosochē = the practice of attention, the Stoic version of mindfulness.

We live hic et nunc, in the here and now, so we need to pay attention

to it.

Proēgmena / Apoproēgmena = the above mentioned preferred and

dispreferred indifferents.

Pathē / Eupatheiai / Apatheia = unhealthy vs healthy emotions, and the

goal of Stoic practice: tranquillity of mind, or equanimity.

Key sayings on important topics:

(these are topics that particularly resonate with me, of course;

other prokoptontes may have different preferred sayings; here is a much

expanded list to choose from; the list below is in approximate chronological

order)

How to practice self-control: “Mastering one’s appetites for food and drink is

the beginning of and basis for self-control. … When it comes to food,

responsible people favor what is easy to obtain over what is difficult, what

involves no trouble over what does, and what is available over what isn’t.”

(Musonius Rufus, Lectures)

What it means to follow nature: “Bring the mind to bear upon your

problems.” (Seneca, De Tranquillitate Animi X.4)

Seek truths from whoever has it, included other schools of thought: “That

which is true is mine.” (Seneca, Epistle I.12.11)

STOICON

Stoicism 101

Seneca: on theshortness of life

Meditations

Books

What Would a Stoic Do? (13)

TOP POSTS

Keep an open mind, you haven’t figured everything out yet: “Let us be

satisfied with what we have discovered, and leave a little truth for our

descendants to find out.” (Seneca, Natural Questions VII.16)

So much for Stoics as joyless fellows: “It does good also to take walks out of

doors, that our spirits may be raised and refreshed by the open air and fresh

breeze: sometimes we gain strength by driving in a carriage, by travel, by

change of air, or by social meals and a more generous allowance of wine: at

times we ought to drink even to intoxication, not so as to drown, but merely

to dip ourselves in wine: for wine washes away troubles and dislodges them

from the depths of the mind, and acts as a remedy to sorrow as it does to

some diseases.” (Seneca, On the Tranquility of Mind XVII)

When the going gets tough: “Bear and forbear.” (Epictetus, Discourses, IV.8)

Practice the evening philosophical diary: “Admit not sleep into your tender

eyelids till you have reckoned up each deed of the day — How have I erred,

what done or left undone? So start, and so review your acts, and then for

vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad.” (Epictetus, Discourses III.10)

Be realistic but compassionate toward fellow humans: “Begin the morning

by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful,

arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by

reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. … I can neither be injured

by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry

with my kinsman, nor hate him.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.1)

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The Stoic spectrum and the

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Cicero’s De Finibus and the

nature of Stoic philosophy —

Part II

What Would a Stoic Do? The

Stoic's decision making

algorithm

In "Ancient Stoicism" In "Ancient Stoicism" In "What Would a Stoic Do?"

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Keep an open mind, you haven’t figured everything out yet: “Let us be

satisfied with what we have discovered, and leave a little truth for our

descendants to find out.” (Seneca, Natural Questions VII.16)

So much for Stoics as joyless fellows: “It does good also to take walks out of

doors, that our spirits may be raised and refreshed by the open air and fresh

breeze: sometimes we gain strength by driving in a carriage, by travel, by

change of air, or by social meals and a more generous allowance of wine: at

times we ought to drink even to intoxication, not so as to drown, but merely

to dip ourselves in wine: for wine washes away troubles and dislodges them

from the depths of the mind, and acts as a remedy to sorrow as it does to

some diseases.” (Seneca, On the Tranquility of Mind XVII)

When the going gets tough: “Bear and forbear.” (Epictetus, Discourses, IV.8)

Practice the evening philosophical diary: “Admit not sleep into your tender

eyelids till you have reckoned up each deed of the day — How have I erred,

what done or left undone? So start, and so review your acts, and then for

vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad.” (Epictetus, Discourses III.10)

Be realistic but compassionate toward fellow humans: “Begin the morning

by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful,

arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by

reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. … I can neither be injured

by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry

with my kinsman, nor hate him.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.1)

Share this:

Twitter Facebook 94 Google Pocket Email Press This

Edit

Related

The Stoic spectrum and the

thorny issue of preferred

indifferents

Cicero’s De Finibus and the

nature of Stoic philosophy —

Part II

What Would a Stoic Do? The

Stoic's decision making

algorithm

In "Ancient Stoicism" In "Ancient Stoicism" In "What Would a Stoic Do?"

&

Keep an open mind, you haven’t figured everything out yet: “Let us be

satisfied with what we have discovered, and leave a little truth for our

descendants to find out.” (Seneca, Natural Questions VII.16)

So much for Stoics as joyless fellows: “It does good also to take walks out of

doors, that our spirits may be raised and refreshed by the open air and fresh

breeze: sometimes we gain strength by driving in a carriage, by travel, by

change of air, or by social meals and a more generous allowance of wine: at

times we ought to drink even to intoxication, not so as to drown, but merely

to dip ourselves in wine: for wine washes away troubles and dislodges them

from the depths of the mind, and acts as a remedy to sorrow as it does to

some diseases.” (Seneca, On the Tranquility of Mind XVII)

When the going gets tough: “Bear and forbear.” (Epictetus, Discourses, IV.8)

Practice the evening philosophical diary: “Admit not sleep into your tender

eyelids till you have reckoned up each deed of the day — How have I erred,

what done or left undone? So start, and so review your acts, and then for

vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad.” (Epictetus, Discourses III.10)

Be realistic but compassionate toward fellow humans: “Begin the morning

by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful,

arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by

reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. … I can neither be injured

by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry

with my kinsman, nor hate him.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.1)

Share this:

Twitter Facebook 94 Google Pocket Email Press This

Edit

Related

The Stoic spectrum and the

thorny issue of preferred

indifferents

Cicero’s De Finibus and the

nature of Stoic philosophy —

Part II

What Would a Stoic Do? The

Stoic's decision making

algorithm

In "Ancient Stoicism" In "Ancient Stoicism" In "What Would a Stoic Do?"

&

Keep an open mind, you haven’t figured everything out yet: “Let us be

satisfied with what we have discovered, and leave a little truth for our

descendants to find out.” (Seneca, Natural Questions VII.16)

So much for Stoics as joyless fellows: “It does good also to take walks out of

doors, that our spirits may be raised and refreshed by the open air and fresh

breeze: sometimes we gain strength by driving in a carriage, by travel, by

change of air, or by social meals and a more generous allowance of wine: at

times we ought to drink even to intoxication, not so as to drown, but merely

to dip ourselves in wine: for wine washes away troubles and dislodges them

from the depths of the mind, and acts as a remedy to sorrow as it does to

some diseases.” (Seneca, On the Tranquility of Mind XVII)

When the going gets tough: “Bear and forbear.” (Epictetus, Discourses, IV.8)

Practice the evening philosophical diary: “Admit not sleep into your tender

eyelids till you have reckoned up each deed of the day — How have I erred,

what done or left undone? So start, and so review your acts, and then for

vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad.” (Epictetus, Discourses III.10)

Be realistic but compassionate toward fellow humans: “Begin the morning

by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful,

arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by

reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. … I can neither be injured

by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry

with my kinsman, nor hate him.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.1)

Share this:

Twitter Facebook 94 Google Pocket Email Press This

Edit

Related

The Stoic spectrum and the

thorny issue of preferred

indifferents

Cicero’s De Finibus and the

nature of Stoic philosophy —

Part II

What Would a Stoic Do? The

Stoic's decision making

algorithm

In "Ancient Stoicism" In "Ancient Stoicism" In "What Would a Stoic Do?"

&

Keep an open mind, you haven’t figured everything out yet: “Let us be

satisfied with what we have discovered, and leave a little truth for our

descendants to find out.” (Seneca, Natural Questions VII.16)

So much for Stoics as joyless fellows: “It does good also to take walks out of

doors, that our spirits may be raised and refreshed by the open air and fresh

breeze: sometimes we gain strength by driving in a carriage, by travel, by

change of air, or by social meals and a more generous allowance of wine: at

times we ought to drink even to intoxication, not so as to drown, but merely

to dip ourselves in wine: for wine washes away troubles and dislodges them

from the depths of the mind, and acts as a remedy to sorrow as it does to

some diseases.” (Seneca, On the Tranquility of Mind XVII)

When the going gets tough: “Bear and forbear.” (Epictetus, Discourses, IV.8)

Practice the evening philosophical diary: “Admit not sleep into your tender

eyelids till you have reckoned up each deed of the day — How have I erred,

what done or left undone? So start, and so review your acts, and then for

vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad.” (Epictetus, Discourses III.10)

Be realistic but compassionate toward fellow humans: “Begin the morning

by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful,

arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by

reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. … I can neither be injured

by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry

with my kinsman, nor hate him.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.1)

Share this:

Twitter Facebook 94 Google Pocket Email Press This

Edit

Related

The Stoic spectrum and the

thorny issue of preferred

indifferents

Cicero’s De Finibus and the

nature of Stoic philosophy —

Part II

What Would a Stoic Do? The

Stoic's decision making

algorithm

In "Ancient Stoicism" In "Ancient Stoicism" In "What Would a Stoic Do?"

&

Keep an open mind, you haven’t figured everything out yet: “Let us be

satisfied with what we have discovered, and leave a little truth for our

descendants to find out.” (Seneca, Natural Questions VII.16)

So much for Stoics as joyless fellows: “It does good also to take walks out of

doors, that our spirits may be raised and refreshed by the open air and fresh

breeze: sometimes we gain strength by driving in a carriage, by travel, by

change of air, or by social meals and a more generous allowance of wine: at

times we ought to drink even to intoxication, not so as to drown, but merely

to dip ourselves in wine: for wine washes away troubles and dislodges them

from the depths of the mind, and acts as a remedy to sorrow as it does to

some diseases.” (Seneca, On the Tranquility of Mind XVII)

When the going gets tough: “Bear and forbear.” (Epictetus, Discourses, IV.8)

Practice the evening philosophical diary: “Admit not sleep into your tender

eyelids till you have reckoned up each deed of the day — How have I erred,

what done or left undone? So start, and so review your acts, and then for

vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad.” (Epictetus, Discourses III.10)

Be realistic but compassionate toward fellow humans: “Begin the morning

by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful,

arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by

reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. … I can neither be injured

by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry

with my kinsman, nor hate him.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.1)

Share this:

Twitter Facebook 94 Google Pocket Email Press This

Edit

Related

The Stoic spectrum and the

thorny issue of preferred

indifferents

Cicero’s De Finibus and the

nature of Stoic philosophy —

Part II

What Would a Stoic Do? The

Stoic's decision making

algorithm

In "Ancient Stoicism" In "Ancient Stoicism" In "What Would a Stoic Do?"

&

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