Recently I cited well-known scientists’ contempt for philosophy. Philosophy, these scientists say, is a poor way of discovering the laws of the universe.
Ancient philosophers tried to figure out how we could all could live good lives.
Here are some quotes I and millions of others through the millennia – even some of the scientists who were contemptuous of philosophers – have found helpful, particularly in tough times. I’ve selected quotes from three of Stoicism’s greatest champions:
- Epictetus, the Greek philosopher who was born a slave;
- Seneca, the Roman statesman and dramatist; and
- Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome’s greatest emperors. Marcus Aurelius never intended his private Stoic writings to be published – he willed they should be destroyed after his death. His orders were disobeyed after his executors realized the great philosphical value of his writings.
Quotes from Great Stoic Philosophers
Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
You have the power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.
Marcus Aurelius. 121 – 180 AD
Emperor of the Roman Empire and Stoic Philosopher
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
People are frugal in guarding their personal property; but as soon as it comes to squandering time they are most wasteful of the one thing in which it is right to be stingy.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
Other people’s views and troubles can be contagious. Don’t sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
Be discriminating about what images and ideas you permit into your mind. If you yourself don’t choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will, and their motives may not be the highest.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
If you know not to which port you sail, no wind is favorable.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
It is difficult to bring people to goodness with lessons, but it is easy to do so by example.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
Nature hath given us one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…
Marcus Aurelius. 121 – 180 AD
Emperor of the Roman Empire and Stoic Philosopher
You suffer more than necessary if you suffer before it is necessary.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.
Marcus Aurelius. 121 – 180 AD
Emperor of the Roman Empire and Stoic Philosopher
All cruelty springs from weakness.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.
Marcus Aurelius. 121 – 180 AD
Emperor of the Roman Empire and Stoic Philosopher
He who injured you was either stronger or weaker than you. If weaker, spare him; if stronger, spare yourself.
Seneca. 4 BC – 65 AD
Statesman, Dramatist and Stoic Philosopher
Anyone capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
Laugh at yourself. You will never run out of things to laugh at.
Epictetus. 55 – 135 AD
Slave, Teacher and Stoic Philosopher
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Author of this page: The Doc
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