Stoic Meditations

For it does not follow that if differences in people’s propensities are due to natural and antecedent causes, therefore our wills and desires are also due to natural and antecedent causes; for if that were the case, we should have no freedom of the will at all. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Because it relates to character, called in Greek ethos, we usually term that part of philosophy ‘the study of character.’ But the suitable course is to add to the Latin language by giving this subject the name of ‘moral science.’ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

It is no proof of a great mind to give and to throw away one’s bounty; the true test of a great mind is to throw away one’s bounty and still to give. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Consider within yourself, whether you have always shown gratitude to those to whom you owe it, whether no one’s kindness has ever been wasted upon you, whether you constantly bear in mind all the benefits which you have received. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca tells the story of when Socrates asked his friends for money to buy a cloak, and reminds us of our duty to bestow benefits on our friends before they even ask. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Wretched is he who can take pleasure in the size of the audit book of his estate, in great tracts of land cultivated by slaves in chains, in huge flocks and herds which require provinces and kingdoms for their pasture ground. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

There is nothing which is hard to discover except those things by which we gain nothing beyond the credit of having discovered them. Whatever things tend to make us better or happier are either obvious or easily discovered. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

The cynic Demetrius had an admirable saying about this, that one gained more by having a few wise precepts ready and in common use, than by learning many without having them at hand. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

You do wrong if you are grateful only for the sake of your reputation, and not to satisfy your conscience. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Do you not see how powerful people are driven to ruin by the want of candor among their friends, whose loyalty has degenerated into slavish obsequiousness? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Some things are of greater value than the price which we pay for them. You buy of a physician life and good health, the value of which cannot be estimated in money; from a teacher you buy the education of a gentleman and mental culture. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

That which you esteem so highly, that by which you think that you are made rich and powerful, owns but the shabby title of “house” or “money;” but when you have given it away, it becomes a benefit. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca discusses the widespread ingratitude of politicians toward their country and fellow citizens. Which raises the obvious question: why is it so difficult to find virtuous politicians? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Just as the stomach, when disordered by disease, turns every kind of sustenance into a source of pain, so whatever you entrust to an ill-regulated mind becomes to it a burden, an annoyance, and a source of misery. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

A benefit is a voluntary act, but to do good to oneself is an instinctive one. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Diogenes was far more powerful, far richer even than Alexander, who then possessed everything; for there was more that Diogenes could refuse to receive than that Alexander was able to give. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

The wise person begins everything with the saving clause, “If nothing shall occur to the contrary.” --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

We proceed in the way in which reason, not absolute truth, directs us. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

A good conscience is of value on the rack. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

While all other animals have sufficient strength to protect themselves, man is covered by a soft skin, has no powerful teeth or claws with which to terrify other creatures, but weak and naked by himself is made strong by union. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support