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.

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.

1080. The path to peace

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.

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.

1079. The use of impressions

It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them.

It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them.

1078. Facts vs value judgments

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 people knock up against you, that people steal from you. And you’ll thus undertake the action in a surer manner if you say to yourself at the outset, ‘I want to take a bath and ensure at the same time that my choice remains in harmony with nature.’

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 people knock up against you, that people steal from you. And you’ll thus undertake the action in a surer manner if you say to yourself at the outset, ‘I want to take a bath and ensure at the same time that my choice remains in harmony with nature.’

1077. You should always have two goals in mind

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.

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.

1076. Remember, we are all mortals

Today I have got out of all trouble, or rather I have cast out all trouble, for it was not outside, but within and in my opinions.

Today I have got out of all trouble, or rather I have cast out all trouble, for it was not outside, but within and in my opinions.

684. Objective situations and subjective judgments

Labor not as one who is wretched, nor yet as one who would be pitied or admired; but direct your will to one thing only: to act or not to act as social reason requires.

Labor not as one who is wretched, nor yet as one who would be pitied or admired; but direct your will to one thing only: to act or not to act as social reason requires.

683. Apply reason to social improvement

If you are able, correct by teaching those who do wrong; but if you cannot, remember that indulgence is given to you for this purpose.

If you are able, correct by teaching those who do wrong; but if you cannot, remember that indulgence is given to you for this purpose.

682. Teach them or bear with them

He who does wrong does wrong against himself. He who acts unjustly acts unjustly to himself, because he makes himself bad.

He who does wrong does wrong against himself. He who acts unjustly acts unjustly to himself, because he makes himself bad.

681. When peope do wrong they hurt themselves first

Our fear of pain and our desire for pleasure sometimes lead to injustice. Let that not be the case.

Our fear of pain and our desire for pleasure sometimes lead to injustice. Let that not be the case.

680. Pain, pleasure, and injustice

Marcus Aurelius thinks injustice is a type of impiety against the cosmos. Modern Stoics have updated the concept, since we don't believe the universe to be a sentient living being.

Marcus Aurelius thinks injustice is a type of impiety against the cosmos. Modern Stoics have updated the concept, since we don't believe the universe to be a sentient living being.

679. The nature of injustice

From a Stoic point of view, there is absolutely nothing more important in life than to exercise our virtue in order to help our fellow brothers and sisters of the human cosmopolis.

From a Stoic point of view, there is absolutely nothing more important in life than to exercise our virtue in order to help our fellow brothers and sisters of the human cosmopolis.

678. Setting up again what chance has overthrown

The wise person will not pity others, but will help them and be of service to them, seeing that he is born to be a help to all people and a public benefit.

The wise person will not pity others, but will help them and be of service to them, seeing that he is born to be a help to all people and a public benefit.

677. Help, instead of pity, others

Seneca details the characteristics of the ideal ruler. We should look for the same in the people who govern us. And in ourselves.

Seneca details the characteristics of the ideal ruler. We should look for the same in the people who govern us. And in ourselves.

676. The ideal ruler

No school of philosophy is more gentle and benign, none is more full of love towards man or more anxious to promote the happiness of all.

675. Stoicism in the service of all

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).

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