4 Virtues Of Stoicism To Lead A Purposeful Life

“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.” – Seneca.

Stoicism is a philosophy that originated in ancient Greece and Rome in the early parts of the 3rd century, BC. It is a way of life that has moral excellence as its ultimate goal. Stoicism was deliberately created to be understandable, actionable and useful. That is why it has followers to this day, and is having a renaissance with entrepreneurs, leaders and change-makers of the world.

Stoicism was created to help people live their best possible lives. It’s a philosophy of life that maximizes positive emotions, reduces negative emotions and helps individuals to hone their virtues of character.

Stoicism and its ideologies have been adopted in many parts of the world over the centuries. It has also had a significant influence on the Western world.?

“Make the best of what is in our power, and treat the rest in accordance with its nature.” – Epictetus.

The Stoics believed that the key to living a good life is to focus on what we can control and to let go of what we cannot control. They believed that we should strive to live in accordance with reason and to act virtuously. The goal of the Stoic philosophy is to achieve a state of inner peace and tranquility, which they believed could be achieved by living in accordance with virtue and by accepting what happens.?

At any moment, in any situation, and at any stage of life, Stoicism provides a framework for living well. It reminds people of what is truly important, providing practical strategies to get more of what is valuable.

Practicing Stoicism doesn’t require learning an entirely new philosophical lexicon or meditating for hours a day. Instead, it offers an immediate, useful and practical way to find tranquility and improve one’s strengths of character.

“Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the Sun. if you do not, the Sun will soon set, and you with it.” – Marcus Aurelius.

While its ideas shifted and changed throughout the centuries, the idea of Stoicism revolves around four fundamental virtues – wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.?

The virtue of wisdom

“A wise person is the one that takes the right course of action, not just instrumentally, but morally.” – Massimo Pigliucci.

According to ancient Greek Stoics, the virtue of wisdom was imperative for distinguishing the differences between the good, the bad and the indifferent. They thought, being able to make these distinctions was important in making sound judgements and logical decisions in a practical, considered way, rather than acting with passion or impulse.?

Wisdom is harnessing what philosophy teaches, and then wielding it in the real world. As Seneca put it, “Works not words.”

The virtue of courage

“Courage is grace under pressure.” – Ernest Hemingway.

The state of remaining strong and in control of one’s emotions, no matter what life has to throw at you.?

Stoics associated courage with endurance, confidence, high-mindedness, cheerfulness, and industriousness. There is a comprehensive emphasis on remaining positive and productive in the face of adversity.?

Ancient Greek Stoics that courage is not about eliminating fear, but rather accepting it and pushing through with endurance and resilience. Easier said than done, perhaps. But this trait marks the great strength of character we see in high-profile figures, world leaders and top athletes, who have all seen their own fair share of adversity.?

Courage is not the elimination of fear, desire or anxiety, but acting in the right way despite experiencing them.

The virtue of justice

“To honor equality, to want to do good, and for a person, being human, to not want to harm human beings. This is the most honorable lesson and it makes just people out of those who learn it.” – Musonius Rufus.

Justice is the crowning glory of the virtues. This fundamental trait in the four virtues of Stoicism, is all about doing what is right and fair, especially in the face of adversity. Also known as morality, this virtue is about piety, honesty, and equity.?

People who live with a strong sense of justice and an inner moral code stand up for themselves, their communities, and their society.??

The virtue of temperance

“Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’” – Marcus Aurelius.

Regulating one’s emotions rather than being swept up in the heat of the moment. The final virtue, also known as moderation, is all about showing restraint, self-control, and discipline in all areas and situations in life. It represents the opposite of greed, instant gratification, and addictive behaviour.

The philosophy of stoicism asserted that virtue is found between excess and deficiency. According to them, excesses and desires are not conducive to a truly happy life.?

Two words should be committed to memory and obeyed in order to thrive in life –

Persist and Resist.