Stoic Philosophy

Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE. It became one of the most influential philosophical movements in the ancient world, with notable practitioners including the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the former slave Epictetus, and the statesman Seneca. In recent years, Stoicism has experienced a remarkable revival as a practical philosophy for modern life.

The core teaching of Stoicism is that virtue (wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance) is the highest good and the only reliable source of happiness. The Stoics drew a sharp distinction between what is "up to us" (our judgments, intentions, and responses) and what is not (external events, other people's actions, our bodies). By focusing only on what we can control, we can maintain inner peace regardless of circumstances.

Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations," Epictetus's "Enchiridion" and "Discourses," and Seneca's letters and dialogues remain widely read as practical guides to ethical living, emotional resilience, and finding meaning.