The Stoics

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Quotes...

• “Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.” - Epictetus
  
• “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” - Seneca
• “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius
• “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” - Marcus Aurelius
• “The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.” - Marcus Aurelius
• “You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire”- Seneca
• “The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.” - Epictetus

The Four Stoic Virtues
Wisdom
Wisdom is simply the ability to see things for what they are, instead of what we want them to be. It’s the ability to put aside our own biases, values and beliefs to look at something objectively.

Temperance
Temperance can also be called moderation. It relates to self restraint, self discipline and self control. It is our ability to choose long term well-being over short term satisfaction. It is the opposite of gluttony, greed, instant gratification, addictive behavior, laziness, and procrastination.

Temperance helps us detach our well-being from extremes like a dependence on material goods, drink, drugs, social media, video games etc.

Courage
Courage is the opposing force of cowardice. Courage is not the elimination or fear, desire or anxiety, it is acting despite our fear, desire and anxieties.

Justice
Justice is our duty to our fellow man, and to our society. It’s intention underlying our actions, specifically in relation to our community and the people within it.Are we kind, courteous, understanding, respectful, fair, and generous? Do we provide support when people need it? Do we give back to our community, or do we just take?

“Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.”

Quote by Epictetus