Stoic Meditations

Epictetus reminds us that sometimes the reasonable thing to do is to suspend judgment. And always to face reality rather than engage in wishful thinking. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that the important thing is not how long a life you live, but what you do with it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius thinks that it’s good to keep things in perspective, and that we only control the here and now. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus reminds his student that certain things are an inevitable feature of the universe, and that it is better to work on them than just wish them away. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca uses Epicurus’ argument for why we should not be afraid of death, focusing instead on how to best live our life. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius introduces us to the apparently paradoxical notion that life, death, honor, dishonor, pleasure and pain are neither good nor bad. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus makes an interesting contrast between taking too much care of our bodies and too little care of our minds. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca advises us on how to behave with true friends, and reminds us of how important they are in our life. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Hierocles reminds us that we are fundamentally social animals, and that we are here to help each other. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Musonius Rufus says that nobody is born a writer, musician, or athlete. People get there by studying and practicing. The same goes for virtue. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus tells us that it’s too easy and unnecessary to worry about other people’s thoughts. It is far more difficult, but useful, to worry about our own. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus says that some people hardens their opinions into stones. It’s their problem, don’t waste your time arguing with them. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca tells Lucilius that wealth should be limited, something that exposed him to charges of hypocrisy. Regardless, what is the relationship between wealth and virtue? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus reminds us that our life is short, and that we don’t really know what day will be our last. So why not use our time in the best possible way? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus says that we become virtuous in the same way as athletes and musicians become more proficient at what they do: by constant practice. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca wanders into Epicurean territory, as a scout, not a traitor. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus is summarizing here some of the most important concepts of Stoicism, especially why we should pity, and not get upset with, people when they make mistakes. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Hierocles reminds us how to best respond to another human being who has ill feelings toward us. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Musonius Rufus says that philosophers should speak clearly, and most of all should live the way they talk. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus asks us at what price we are willing to sell our soul, and advises us to aim for the highest one possible. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support