Stoic Meditations

By Massimo Pigliucci

What's Stoic Meditations about?

Occasional reflections on the wisdom of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers with Prof. Massimo Pigliucci. Complete index by author and source at https://massimopigliucci.org/stoic-podcast/. (cover art by Marek Škrabák; original music by Ian Jolin-Rasmussen). Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

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Stoic Meditations episodes:

08.23.2022
1094. The Olympics have already started!
When faced with anything painful or pleasurable, anything bringing glory or disrepute, realize that the crisis is now, that the Olympics have started, and waiting is no longer an option; that the chance for progress, to keep or lose, turns...
08.22.2022
1093. Homer and Chrysippus
If I admire the interpretation [of a philosophical treatise], I have turned into a literary critic instead of a philosopher, the only difference being that, instead of Homer, I’m interpreting Chrysippus. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
08.19.2022
1092. Don't judge others
Someone bathes in haste; don’t say he bathes badly, but in haste. Someone drinks a lot of wine; don’t say he drinks badly, but a lot. Until you know their reasons, how do you know that their actions are vicious? ---...
08.18.2022
1091. Non sequiturs
The following are non-sequiturs: ‘I am richer, therefore superior to you’; or ‘I am a better speaker, therefore a better person, than you.’ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
08.17.2022
1090. Every cup has two handles
Everything has two handles: one by which it may be borne, another by which it cannot. If your brother acts unjustly, do not lay hold on the affair by the handle of his injustice, for by that it cannot be...
08.16.2022
1089. Of insults and logic
Whenever anyone criticizes or wrongs you, remember that they are only doing or saying what they think is right. They cannot be guided by your views, only their own; so if their views are wrong, they are the ones who...
08.15.2022
1088. Wrong priorities
As you are careful when you walk not to step on a nail or turn your ankle, so you should take care not to do any injury to your character at the same time. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
08.12.2022
1087. Conversation and company
When you’re called upon to speak, then speak, but never about banalities like gladiators, horses, sports, food and drink – common-place stuff. Above all don’t gossip about people, praising, blaming or comparing them. Avoid fraternizing with non-philosophers. If you must,...
08.11.2022
1086. Grief and loss
When somebody’s wife or child dies, to a man we all routinely say, ‘Well, that’s part of life.’ But if one of our own family is involved, then right away it’s ‘Poor, poor me!’ We would do better to remember...
08.10.2022
1085. Money
If I can make money while remaining honest, trustworthy and dignified, show me how and I will do it. But if you expect me to sacrifice my own values, just so you can get your hands on things that aren’t...
08.09.2022
1084. On insults
Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. … Take a moment...
08.08.2022
1083. Do not groan inwardly
When you see anyone weeping for grief, either that his son has gone abroad or that he has suffered in his affairs, take care not to be overcome by the apparent evil, but discriminate and be ready to say, "What...
08.05.2022
1082. The fundamental tradeoff
You have to realize, it isn’t easy to keep your will in agreement with nature, as well as externals. Caring about the one inevitably means you are going to shortchange the other. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
08.04.2022
1081. Your reservoir of virtues
Provoked by the sight of a handsome man or a beautiful woman, you will discover within you the contrary power of self-restraint. Faced with pain, you will discover the power of endurance. If you are insulted, you will discover patience....
08.03.2022
1080. The path to peace
Don’t hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
08.02.2022
1079. The use of impressions
What quality belongs to you? The intelligent use of impressions. If you use impressions as nature prescribes, go ahead and indulge your pride, because then you will be celebrating a quality distinctly your own. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
08.01.2022
1078. Facts vs value judgments
It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
07.28.2022
1077. You should always have two goals in mind
When you’re about to embark on any action, remind yourself what kind of action it is. If you’re going out to take a bath, set before your mind the things that happen at the baths, that people splash you, that...
07.27.2022
1076. Remember, we are all mortals
If you kiss your child or your wife, say to yourself that it is a human being that you're kissing; and then, if one of them should die, you won't be upset. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
07.26.2022
1075. Question your impressions
So make a practice at once of saying to every strong impression: ‘An impression is all you are, not the source of the impression.’ Then test and assess it with your criteria, but one primarily: ask, ‘Is this something that...
07.25.2022
1074. The fundamental rule of life
Some things are up to us, while others are not. Up to us are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not up to us are our body, our property, reputation, office, and,...
07.22.2022
1073. Virtue is the only good
Despise poverty; no man lives as poor as he was born: despise pain; either it will cease or you will cease: despise death; it either ends you or takes you elsewhere: despise fortune; I have given her no weapon that...
07.21.2022
1072. What Nature has given us
I have placed every good thing within your own breasts: it is your good fortune not to need any good fortune. Yet many things befall you which are sad, dreadful, hard to be borne. Well, as I have not been...
07.20.2022
1071. The Stoic deterministic universe
The fates guide us, and the length of every person’s days is decided at the first hour of their birth: every cause depends upon some earlier cause: one long chain of destiny decides all things, public or private. Wherefore, everything...
07.19.2022
1070. We should seek out life's challenges
To be always prosperous, and to pass through life without a twinge of mental distress, is to remain ignorant of one half of nature. You are a great human being; but how am I to know it, if fortune gives...
07.18.2022
1069. It doesn't matter what you bear, but how you bear it
Good people ought to act so as not to fear troubles and difficulties, nor to lament their hard fate, to take in good part whatever befalls them, and force it to become a blessing to them. It does not matter...
06.17.2022
1068. No evil can befall a good person
The pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of a brave person; for the mind of someone brave maintains its balance and throws its own complexion over all that takes place, because it is more powerful than any external...
06.16.2022
1067. The Stoic argument from design
Seneca presents an argument from design to conclude that the universe is rationally and providentially arranged, just like Cleanthes, Chrysippus, and Cicero had done before him, and like Epictetus will do afterwards. Of course, from a modern scientific perspective, such...
06.15.2022
1066. Stoic R&R
It does good also to take walks out of doors, that our spirits may be raised and refreshed by the open air and fresh breeze. Sometimes we gain strength by driving in a carriage, by travel, by change of air,...
06.14.2022
1065. Democritus vs Heraclitus
We ought therefore to bring ourselves into such a state of mind that all the vices of the vulgar may not appear hateful to us, but merely ridiculous, and we should imitate Democritus rather than Heraclitus. The latter of these,...
06.13.2022
1064. Stoic non-attachment
Zeno, the chief of our school, when he heard the news of a shipwreck, in which all his property had been lost, remarked, “Fortune bids me follow philosophy in lighter marching order.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.31.2022
1063. The reserve clause
He who does many things often puts himself in Fortune’s power, and it is safest not to tempt her often, but always to remember her existence, and never to promise oneself anything on her security. I will set sail unless...
05.30.2022
1062. The problem with busyness
We must limit the running to and fro which most people practice, rambling about houses, theaters, and marketplaces. They mind other peoples’ business, and always seem as though they themselves had something to do. If you ask them as they...
05.27.2022
1061. What do we labor for?
The next point to these will be to take care that we do not labour for what is vain, or labour in vain: that is to say, neither to desire what we are not able to obtain, nor yet, having...
05.26.2022
1060. The premeditatio malorum
For by looking forward to everything which can happen as though it would happen to us, we take the sting out of all evils, which can make no difference to those who expect it and are prepared to meet it....
05.25.2022
1059. It's a matter of attitude
In every station of life you will find amusements, relaxations, and enjoyments; that is, provided you be willing to make light of evils rather than to hate them. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.24.2022
1058. How many books? How many authors?
What is the use of possessing numberless books and libraries, whose titles their owner can hardly read through in a lifetime? A student is over-whelmed by such a mass, not instructed, and it is much better to devote yourself to...
05.23.2022
1057. The real value of things
Let us accustom ourselves to set aside mere outward show, and to measure things by their uses, not by their ornamental trappings. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.20.2022
1056. Whereby Seneca praises Diogenes
The best amount of property to have is that which is enough to keep us from poverty, and which yet is not far removed from it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.19.2022
1055. The problem with too much wealth
If you compare all the other ills from which we suffer—deaths, sicknesses, fears, regrets, endurance of pains and labors—with those miseries which our money inflicts upon us, the latter will far outweigh all the others. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.18.2022
1054. Be careful the company you keep
We should choose for our friends those who are, as far as possible, free from strong desires: for vices are contagious, and pass from someone to their neighbor, and injure those who touch them. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.17.2022
1053. What we do is a preferred indifferent, how we do it is not
No good is done by forcing one’s mind to engage in uncongenial work: it is vain to struggle against Nature. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.16.2022
1052. Careful about what and why you commit yourself to
We ought first to examine our own selves, next the business which we propose to transact, next those for whose sake or in whose company we transact it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.06.2022
1051. Consider how much or how little you can do
We ought therefore, to expand or contract ourselves according as the state of things presents itself to us, or as Fortune offers us opportunities. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.05.2022
1050. Be a good citizen
The services of a good citizen are never thrown away: he does good by being heard and seen, by his expression, his gestures, his silent determination, and his very walk. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.04.2022
1049. Wisdom and age
Often a man who is very old in years has nothing beyond his age by which he can prove that he has lived a long time. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
05.03.2022
1048. Serving the cosmopolis
Seneca explains that there are many ways to help improve the human cosmopolis: one can be a candidate for public office, a defense lawyer, or a teacher. Zeno, Cleanthes, and Chrysippus encouraged involvement in politics, but where themselves teachers. --- Support...
05.02.2022
1047. A very good question
How long are we to go on doing the same thing? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
04.28.2022
1046. Don't flee from yourself
Hence men undertake aimless wanderings and travel along distant shores, trying to soothe that fickleness of disposition which always is dissatisfied with the present. As Lucretius says: “Thus every mortal from himself does flee.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
04.27.2022
1045. Is tranquillity of mind really a good thing?
What you desire, to be undisturbed, is a great thing, nay, the greatest thing of all, and one which raises a man almost to the level of a god. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

What's Stoic Meditations about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Stoic Meditations episodes:

1094. The Olympics have already started!

1093. Homer and Chrysippus

1092. Don't judge others

1091. Non sequiturs

1090. Every cup has two handles

1089. Of insults and logic

1088. Wrong priorities

1087. Conversation and company

1086. Grief and loss

1085. Money

1084. On insults

1083. Do not groan inwardly

1082. The fundamental tradeoff

1081. Your reservoir of virtues

1080. The path to peace

1079. The use of impressions

1078. Facts vs value judgments

1077. You should always have two goals in mind

1076. Remember, we are all mortals

1075. Question your impressions

1074. The fundamental rule of life

1073. Virtue is the only good

1072. What Nature has given us

1071. The Stoic deterministic universe

1070. We should seek out life's challenges

1069. It doesn't matter what you bear, but how you bear it

1068. No evil can befall a good person

1067. The Stoic argument from design

1066. Stoic R&R

1065. Democritus vs Heraclitus

1064. Stoic non-attachment

1063. The reserve clause

1062. The problem with busyness

1061. What do we labor for?

1060. The premeditatio malorum

1059. It's a matter of attitude

1058. How many books? How many authors?

1057. The real value of things

1056. Whereby Seneca praises Diogenes

1055. The problem with too much wealth

1054. Be careful the company you keep

1053. What we do is a preferred indifferent, how we do it is not

1052. Careful about what and why you commit yourself to

1051. Consider how much or how little you can do

1050. Be a good citizen

1049. Wisdom and age

1048. Serving the cosmopolis

1047. A very good question

1046. Don't flee from yourself

1045. Is tranquillity of mind really a good thing?