Who were the Stoics?
Who were the Stoics, there were many. I have included the main Stoic Philosphers & will add philpsphers who were not strictly Stoics, but believed in much the same things as they did. I have focused on the philosphers of antiquity to begin with & if fortune allows, we will add modern Stoics as well.
Marcus Aurelius
Quotes
- The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
- The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.
- The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
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Date of Birth: April 26, 121 AD
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Place of Birth: Rome, Italy
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Best known for: Roman Emperor, Philosopher
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Books/works: Meditations
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Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor and philosopher.
His reign (161 to 180 AD) was a turbulent one. A number of wars, the Antonine Plague and political challenges, threatened both himself and Rome throughout his reign. Despite these challenges, he was known as one of the five good emperors.
His work Meditations, written during military campaigns, provides timeless insights into human nature and ethical living. This personal journal, intended for his own guidance, emphasizes inner strength and resilience, following Stoic teachings that true happiness comes from within and that we have control over our reactions and actions. Marcus Aurelius' life and philosophy has inspired everybody from Kings to generals and the everyday person nearly 2000 years after his death.
Zeno of Citium
Quotes
- We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we speak.
- Man conquers the world by conquering himself.
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Date of Birth: c. 334 BC
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Place of Birth: Citium, Cyprus
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Best known for: Founder of Stoicism
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Books/works: Republic, Ethics (None of his works survive).
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Zeno of Citium, born around 334 BC in Citium, Cyprus, is best known as the founder of Stoicism. After a shipwreck brought him to Athens, Zeno studied under various philosophers before establishing his own school in the Stoa Poikile, the Painted Porch, from which Stoicism derives its name.
Though none of Zeno's original works survive, his teachings emphasized living in accordance with nature, developing self-control, and practicing virtue as the path to a tranquil life. Zeno's Stoicism taught that rationality and virtue are the highest goods, and his ideas laid the foundation for later Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. His philosophy continues to resonate, offering timeless guidance on achieving inner peace and ethical living amidst life's challenges.
Epictetus
Quotes
- It's not things that upset us, but our judgments about things.
- Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.
- Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.
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Date of Birth: c. 50 AD
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Place of Birth: Hierapolis (modern-day Turkey)
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Best known for: Stoic Philosopher
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Books/works: Discourses, Enchiridion
Epictetus, is renowned as a Stoic philosopher who significantly shaped Stoic thought. Originally a slave, Epictetus gained his freedom and dedicated his life to teaching philosophy in Rome and later in Nicopolis. His teachings, compiled by his student Arrian in Discourses and Enchiridion, emphasize the importance of focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot.
Epictetus's philosophy centers on the idea that true freedom and happiness come from within, through mastering our own minds and reactions. He taught that while external events are beyond our control, we have the power to choose our responses, thus maintaining inner peace and resilience. His practical advice on living a virtuous life continues to influence modern thought and offers a powerful guide to personal empowerment and tranquility.
Seneca
Quotes
- The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
- The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.
- The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
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Date of Birth: c. 4 BC
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Place of Birth: Corduba, (modern-day Spain)
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Best known for: Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist
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Books/works: Letters to Lucilius, On the Shortness of Life, On Anger
Epictetus, born around 50 AD in Hierapolis, Phrygia, is renowned as a Stoic philosopher who significantly shaped Stoic thought. Originally a slave, Epictetus gained his freedom and dedicated his life to teaching philosophy in Rome and later in Nicopolis. His teachings, compiled by his student Arrian in Discourses and Enchiridion, emphasize the importance of focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot.
Epictetus's philosophy centers on the idea that true freedom and happiness come from within, through mastering our own minds and reactions. He taught that while external events are beyond our control, we have the power to choose our responses, thus maintaining inner peace and resilience. His practical advice on living a virtuous life continues to influence modern thought and offers a powerful guide to personal empowerment and tranquility.
Junius Rusticus
Quotes
- The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
- The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.
- The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
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Date of Birth: c. 4 BC
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Place of Birth: Corduba, (modern-day Spain)
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Best known for: Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist
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Books/works: Letters to Lucilius, On the Shortness of Life, On Anger
Epictetus, born around 50 AD in Hierapolis, Phrygia, is renowned as a Stoic philosopher who significantly shaped Stoic thought. Originally a slave, Epictetus gained his freedom and dedicated his life to teaching philosophy in Rome and later in Nicopolis. His teachings, compiled by his student Arrian in Discourses and Enchiridion, emphasize the importance of focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot.
Epictetus's philosophy centers on the idea that true freedom and happiness come from within, through mastering our own minds and reactions. He taught that while external events are beyond our control, we have the power to choose our responses, thus maintaining inner peace and resilience. His practical advice on living a virtuous life continues to influence modern thought and offers a powerful guide to personal empowerment and tranquility.
Musonius Rufus
Quotes
- The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
- The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.
- The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
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Date of Birth: c. 4 BC
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Place of Birth: Corduba, (modern-day Spain)
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Best known for: Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist
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Books/works: Letters to Lucilius, On the Shortness of Life, On Anger
Epictetus, born around 50 AD in Hierapolis, Phrygia, is renowned as a Stoic philosopher who significantly shaped Stoic thought. Originally a slave, Epictetus gained his freedom and dedicated his life to teaching philosophy in Rome and later in Nicopolis. His teachings, compiled by his student Arrian in Discourses and Enchiridion, emphasize the importance of focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot.
Epictetus's philosophy centers on the idea that true freedom and happiness come from within, through mastering our own minds and reactions. He taught that while external events are beyond our control, we have the power to choose our responses, thus maintaining inner peace and resilience. His practical advice on living a virtuous life continues to influence modern thought and offers a powerful guide to personal empowerment and tranquility.