The Stoic's Armor

Season 3 continues with Justice. Last week asked what we owe the people around us. This week takes that question somewhere less comfortable: the people we would rather not praise.

When we hear "credit where it's due," most of us picture ourselves getting it. Marcus Aurelius pointed at the other side, the credit we give. Ishii looks at how, once we decide we don't like someone, we stop seeing the good things they do, and when we do, we keep them to ourselves. Holding back credit we know is earned is a quiet kind of unfairness. Wisdom helps us see the whole person again, and fairness goes both ways: you can speak up plainly about what bothers you and still tell the truth about what someone does well.

This week's practice:
Pick the person you've been keeping score with. Before Friday, say one true thing they do well, either to them or to someone whose opinion of them matters. One honest sentence is more than enough.

Source mentioned:
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, book 6, section 48. "When thou wishest to delight thyself, think of the virtues of those who live with thee; for instance, the activity of one, and the modesty of another, and the liberality of a third, and some other good quality of a fourth." From Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, translated by George Long.

Between episodes, you can read the Journal at thestoicsarmor.com or find The Stoic's Armor on X at @stoicsarmor.
www.thestoicsarmor.com
x.com/stoicsarmor

Season 3 begins with Justice, one of the four Stoic cardinal virtues, following seasons on Wisdom and Courage.

When we hear the word justice, we may think of courts, fairness, or getting what we deserve. The Stoics saw it more broadly: not only what society owes us, but what we owe one another. Ishii looks at how quickly we notice when someone treats us unfairly, and asks how often we turn that same judgment on ourselves. He also asks what wisdom and courage are worth without justice, and shares where this season is headed: relationships, family, the workplace, how we respond to people we disagree with, and the choices we make when nobody is watching.

This week's practice:

Once a day, before you point out what someone else did wrong, ask yourself one question: Did I treat the people around me fairly today?

Source mentioned:

Epictetus, Enchiridion 30. Epictetus taught it, and his student Arrian wrote it down. "Duties are universally measured by relations." From The Works of Epictetus, translated by Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1866).

Between episodes, you can read the Journal at thestoicsarmor.com or find The Stoic's Armor on X at @stoicsarmor.

https://www.thestoicsarmor.com

https://x.com/stoicsarmor

In the final episode of Season 2, we reflect on the courage required to create a meaningful legacy. We wrap up the season and provide a sneak peek into Season 3, which will focus on the virtue of Justice.

Letting go can be one of the hardest things to do, but it’s often necessary for growth. This episode focuses on the courage to release what we cannot control, with insights from Stoic philosophy on accepting impermanence.

Perseverance is a form of courage that we often underestimate. In this episode, we explore how the courage to keep going, even when faced with difficulties, can lead to profound growth. We draw inspiration from the teachings of Zeno of Citium.

Relationships often test our courage in ways we don’texpect. This episode explores how to stay true to yourself while maintaining healthy relationships, drawing on both personal experiences and the wisdom of Stoicism.

Life is full of uncertainty, and courage helps us navigate the unknown. In this episode, we discuss how to find strength in uncertain times, focusing on Epictetus' teachings about accepting what is out of our control.

Forgiveness requires a unique kind of courage. This episodeis all about the courage it takes to release anger and resentment, allowing ourselves to heal and move forward. Drawing on personal experiences and Stoic philosophy, we discuss the strength in forgiveness.

Leadership takes courage. In this episode, we dive into howcourage plays a role in stepping up as a leader, especially in challenging situations. We explore Marcus Aurelius' thoughts on leadership and personal responsibility.

Sometimes, the most courageous thing we can do is allowourselves to be vulnerable. In this episode, we reflect on moments when letting our guard down opened doors for personal growth, with guidance from the teachings of Seneca.