Focus on What Matters: A Collection of Stoic Letters on Living Well
Whether you read the book or not, Carlson’s pithy articulation of this timeless idea is worth remembering. Even Cornelius Fronto, Marcus Aurelius’s rhetoric teacher, would have thought it a superior way of expressing the wisdom his student attempted in the quote above. They both say the same thing: don’t spend your time (the most valuable and least
... See moreStephen Hanselman • The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
I would argue, though, that what is really foolish is to spend your life in a state of self-induced dissatisfaction when satisfaction lies within your grasp, if only you will change your mental outlook. To be able to be satisfied with little is not a failing, it is a blessing—if, at any rate, what you seek is satisfaction.
William B. Irvine • A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
Epictetus believed that one of the products of an education was learning what was your business and what wasn’t, as well as what was up to you and what wasn’t.
Arguing with other people? Trying to change their minds about stuff that didn’t matter? That was a losing game. That was a waste of time. As we said recently, one of the signs of progress in ... See more
Arguing with other people? Trying to change their minds about stuff that didn’t matter? That was a losing game. That was a waste of time. As we said recently, one of the signs of progress in ... See more