There are both good and bad days in life.
We are here to show you the finest stoic quotes which will help you master all circumstances and make you a stronger person.
If you want to know how to take advantage of everything only by changing your perspective but based on Hellenistic philosophy, this article is perfect for you.
Let’s start!
What are the roots of Stoicism?
Stoicism was primarily known as “Zenoism“, after Zeno who founded this school of Hellenistic philosophy in 312 BC.
It is significant because it proclaimed the validity of new cultural values and put in the foreground gentleness and philanthropy instead of perfection.
Stoicism’s greatest appeal lies in its easy application in real life.
What makes Stoicism so unique is the ability to strengthen the human spirit against the daily challenges and, most importantly, its weaknesses.
This philosophy school focuses on the four cardinal virtues:
- courage,
- justice,
- wisdom,
- and self-control.
It also indicates that our pain is only an interpretation of circumstances rather than reality.
The most noteworthy three Stoic philosophers are:
- the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius,
- dramaturge and political advisor Seneca,
- and well-known teacher Epictetus.
Don’t let these strong people make you think you have to be fearless and cruel to advocate their teachings. They will teach you to be strong in your mind and control your feelings, not eliminate them.
The Most Inspiring Stoic Quotes
Let’s get into our favorite stoic quotes that have the power to change your life.
#1 – Demanding the Best for Yourself
“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” — Epictetus
It is in our nature to want the best for ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with that. You just have to be brave.
Don’t procrastinate leaving a job that doesn’t make you happy, a person who hinders your progress – take life into your own hands and demand the best!
#2 – Facing the Truth
“If anyone can refute me — show me I’m making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective — I’ll gladly change. It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone.” — Marcus Aurelius
Only the bravest can face the truth.
It can’t harm you in any way. It can only open your eyes and show you another, real way. Thanks to that, you can respond better to everyday challenges, and most important – you can make progress.
#3 – Fear & Why We Get Hurt
“We are more often frightened than hurt; we suffer more in imagination than in reality.” — Seneca
What scares us is the unknown, not an occurrence itself.
What strikes us the most is our blemished image of us which is, to be realistic, part of our imagination.
We don’t know how to face the situation, so we turn to sorrow because we’ve been there before, and that is our place from which we seek answers.
If we would come out into reality and have the courage to accept it, we wouldn’t be so hurt.
#4 – Embracing Life
“Life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future.” — Seneca
The truth is, you don’t experience life.
The past is here to teach us, and the present is a new chance to do everything to make a better future.
There is no doubt; tomorrow will come. So, it could be better to work on yourself daily and enjoy the rest of your life.
#5 – Power Is In Your Decisions
“First say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do.” — Epictetus
It all starts with the decision.
You have the greatest power to be and do anything you want. Just make a plan, write the first steps and make progress every day.
The result will come for sure. You just have to be persistent.
#6 – Actions Over Words
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
We all find it easier to criticize others, what they do or how they do it.
But, the only person you can influence is you. Be everything you want to see in others, be their role model, inspire them.
The only way to change the world is to stop wishing and start doing.
#7 – Make Every Day Count
“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day… The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.” — Marcus Aurelius
When we would use every moment as if it were the last, we would do much more every day. We would be more grateful, and we would do everything better.
Make your every day the best it can be – go to that job interview, go on that course you want, call that friend you haven’t heard for so long, play with your pet.
Make every day count.
#9 – Be Unconquerable
“It is the power of the mind to be unconquerable.” — Seneca
We all have our ground and the term “unconquerable mind” only applies if you are strong enough to defend your thoughts. If you give up, your mind will be conquered.
When you find someone else with a strong mind, you can have an amazing debate. Also, knowing where and when to step back is part of being unconquerable.
#10 – Choose Your Happiness
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” ― Marcus Aurelius
The most important factor that controls our emotions is our thoughts.
It is easy to be happy when everything goes as we want, but the key is organizing things we can’t control.
If you decide to feel bad, think and do everything according to that, you will feel like that.
The same thing happens with happiness, you have to choose it first, and it will come naturally.
#11 – Dealing with Difficulties
“Choose not to be harmed — and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed, and you haven’t been.” — Marcus Aurelius
Relying on the previous quote, here is one more proof of how everything starts from a decision.
How you choose to feel determines what happened to you.
Keep in mind: the problem doesn’t come from others. It comes from your assessment.
#12 – Learn to Love Discomfort
“Discomfort is the currency of success.” — Brooke Castillo
Remember the moment when you started working on your dream job? You didn’t know what is happening, you felt so powerless, frightened, everything was so unknown.
But you didn’t give up, and that’s the key to success.
Those few days of discomfort made you an expert, and they make success precious.
#13 – Genius Thrives In Difficulty
“Difficulty is what wakes up the genius.” — Nassim Nicholas Taleb
If everything were so easy and known, all humans would be the same.
But, the way we face things makes us different. That is how unexpected discoveries and the greatest minds are made.
#14 – Don’t Worry About What You Can’t Control
We should always be asking ourselves: “Is this something that is, or is not, in my control?” — Epictetus
If it’s not in your control, why are you torturing yourself?
You are responsible only for the things you do or say. Anyways, everybody takes things as they want.
So, choose to be good and feel good about yourself. No one else can do it.
#15 – Patience & Consistency Are Key
“No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.” — Epictetus
We all once wished we could accomplish something overnight. But great things take time.
Just remember the butterfly, which at first was a caterpillar. When the right time came, it spread its wings and conquered the greatest latitudes.
#16 – Knowing Yourself
“You have endured a thousand miseries because you are not content to have your ruling center play the part that it was formed to play. Surely that should be enough!” — Marcus Aurelius
Knowing yourself is crucial.
Each person, with all their characteristics, makes up one piece of the puzzle called life. Don’t ruin the puzzle by wanting to be someone else.
There is a reason for you to be just the way you are, so make the best of it and don’t bother yourself. You are enough!
#17 – Experiences Shape Your Life
“He who has equipped himself for the whole of life does not need to be advised concerning each separate thing, because he is now trained to meet his problem as a whole; for he knows not merely how he should live with his wife or his son, but how he should live alright.” — Aristo of Chios
Experience is the greatest wealth.
We all had to go through bad and good phases, but the most important thing is to learn a lesson.
When we learn the lessons, we learn to live the way we want, to live alright in every aspect.
#18 – Surround Yourself with Great People
“A single day among the learned lasts longer than the longest life of the ignorant.” — Posidonius
Your perspective on the world depends on the social circle you choose.
It is important to surround yourself with people who have the same point of view as you or quality people for whom you will modify your angle.
Those people naturally control the types of conversations we have, so be ready to have more impact in life if you choose the right people.
#19 – Choosing Hard Work Over Temptations
“If you accomplish something good with hard work, the labor passes quickly, but the good endures; if you do something shameful in pursuit of pleasure, the pleasure passes quickly, but the shame endures” — Gaius Musonius Rufus
The decision is up to you – what would you do?
Great minds become written in history by doing what no one else did and by working hard. So, it’s better to be remembered as a spectacular mind than indulge in temptations.
#20 – Choosing the High Ground
“We ought always to deal justly, not only with those who are just to us, but likewise to those who endeavor to injure us; and this, for fear lest by rendering them evil for evil, we should fall into the same vice.” — Hierocles
Choose to be better than your enemy. That separates strong minds from others.
It easy to mirror evil for evil, but the art is to have a pearl of wisdom and be above the situation.
#21 – Conquer Your Dreams
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what’s left and live it properly.” — Marcus Aurelius
Have you done everything you wanted?
Are there some dreams left to conquer?
The right time is now! Make the best of your life. It won’t last forever.
Conclusion
Now, we would like to hear from you.
Did any of these sayings inspire you?
Let us know in the comments down below, or share your favorite quote with us!
