Practical philosophy for resilience, virtue, and inner peace
If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment
Marcus Aurelius elucidates the Stoic belief that our perceptions shape our reality. By altering our evaluations, we can manage our responses to external challenges.
How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself
Epictetus challenges individuals to pursue their highest potential, rather than settling for mediocrity or deferment.
Man is disturbed not by things, but by the views he takes of them
This quote reflects the Stoic idea that disturbances originate from our interpretations rather than the actual events themselves, underscoring the power of perspective change.
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants
Epictetus emphasizes the concept that true wealth and contentment arise from minimizing our desires rather than accumulating material possessions.
It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor
Seneca highlights the internal poverty that arises from endless desires, suggesting true richness stems from contentment with what one has.