25 Stoic phrases ideal to apply in everyday life

Stoic philosophy is very useful for our daily lives. In the beginning, the Stoics believed that a philosophy that touched the ground of the earth was necessary. That is to say, Pure philosophical concepts are of no use to us if we cannot apply them to reality. Therefore, in this article, we will explore Stoic phrases that bring us closer to this Greek wisdom.

In each of these reflections you will find how important it is to master our own emotions and thoughts. In this way, it is possible to modify the way we live. The objective is to extract lessons. Let’s get started!

What is stoicism?

Stoicism is a philosophical school founded by Zeno of Citium in 301 BC. C. Its name in Greek is stoa, which means ‘porch’. This name is due to the place where the Stoics imparted their wisdom. As José Manuel García maintains in his book Be happy… stoically, Stoic wisdom is very relevant for our time.

This is because Stoicism proposes self-control and mastery of passions and desires as a means to achieve ataraxia, understood as serenity or tranquility of mind. We can ask ourselves how this helps in our daily lives.

In this regard, it is not new that we live in fast and hectic times. All of this negatively affects our way of living life. Therefore, in the sections that follow, we will present a collection of Stoic thoughts that will help us reflect on our experiences. And, why not, see reality differently.

1. “Some things depend on us and others do not depend on us” – Epictetus

Epictetus wants to tell us that We must concentrate on those things that really depend on us. In this sense, everything related to our mind and our will is under our control. The other aspects are outside one’s own domain.

The Stoics maintained that we cannot do anything with events that do not come from ourselves. Therefore, we should not worry excessively about what we cannot change. Instead, we should focus on fostering the wisdom and virtuosity to react correctly to external events.

2. “The peace of mind that comes when you stop worrying about what they say” – Marcus Aurelius

This phrase invites stop being mortified by the opinions of others. Marcus Aurelius proposes prioritize inner peace and emotional tranquility. This is achieved, according to the Stoics, through wisdom and self-control.

Worrying too much about what other people think of us can be exhausting. Furthermore, it prevents living authentically. Therefore, once we stop giving importance to other people’s opinions, Our values ​​and principles prevail.

3. “No one has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their hands not to want what they do not have and to enthusiastically use in the best way what they do have” – Seneca

Seneca invites us to be aware that desires are infinite compared to our possibilities of satisfying them. However, this is one of those phrases that exhort us to stop focusing on superfluous pleasures and desires. Examples of these are the desires for wealth, power, recognition or material possessions.

This is one of the Stoic phrases focused on making us see that Always focusing on faults and shortcomings will make us feel more dissatisfied. Instead, Seneca urges us to appreciate those things we already possess, working to make the most of them.

4. “Whoever is afraid of death will not do things worthy of someone who is alive” – Seneca

Fearing death can be an everyday occurrence because it generates uncertainty. Nevertheless, Living in fear of the eminent possibility of dying causes us to not live fully.

In this sense, It is important to remember that life is that moment of now. We cannot know the future and, since it does not depend on us, it is better to concentrate on what we can do something with.

The Stoics maintain that fearing death is irrational. This is because when she arrives we will never have known, since we will be dead. Therefore, wasting our life thinking about something that we are not going to feel is not very logical and rational on our part.

5. “Men are not afraid of things, but of how they see them” – Epictetus

Fear, on many occasions, is the cause of us paralyzing. This is one of those stoic phrases to reflect on our fears. In this sense, Stoic philosophy teaches us that We fear because of the way we interpret and perceive things.

This means that Things or events, by themselves, are not the cause of our fears. In this way, we can allow ourselves a change in our way of interpreting them. Thus, it will be reduced or eliminated, all thanks to the fact that we change the way we consider and experience it.

6. “A man’s life is what his thoughts make it” – Marcus Aurelius

The way we think determines not only our disposition towards things, but also our ways of behaving. So, We perceive and experience the events that happen to us according to thoughts, beliefs and attitudes own.

Therefore, Marcus Aurelius, with this Stoic phrase, sought to make us see that we can control our thoughts. In this way, we aspire to a fuller and more meaningful life.

7. “How does complaining about problems help us?” – Seneca

In difficult situations or situations that we do not like, the easiest and most readily available solution is perhaps to complain. Seneca says that By complaining we will not solve the problems that afflict us.

Complaints rather limit us when it comes to finding solutions to problems. Even more, it increases suffering and interferes with our course of action. Instead, it is important to act, that is, do something, no matter how minimal, as it opens the way to solving any situation.

8. “Just as wood is the material of the carpenter and bronze that of the sculptor, each person’s life is the material of the art of living” – Epictetus

Have you ever stopped to think about what you are doing with your life? This is one of those stoic phrases that questions how we go about our lives. And it is very important, since The way and form in which we live represents the material that gives meaning and gives meaning to our existence.

We must always aspire to a virtuous and healthy life; This is our exclusive responsibility. In this sense, the Stoics call for taking an active role in creating our own life, as well as the excellence of our virtues and peace of mind to achieve it.

9. “First learn the meaning of what you say and then speak” – Epictetus

Thinking first and speaking later should be a first order imperative. This is one of the Stoic phrases to become aware of the importance of reflection, knowledge and wisdom before saying something. In this way, we will communicate more effectively with others, avoiding errors and misunderstandings, as much as possible.

10. “Join yourself with what is spiritually superior, regardless of what other people think or do. Maintain your true aspirations no matter what is happening around you” – Epictetus

With this Stoic phrase, Epictetus reminds us to focus on our own values ​​and aspirations; without having much consideration about what other people may think or say. The Stoics maintained that Wisdom and true happiness come from leading a life according to our principles, without influence of external opinions.

So, cultivating good values ​​should be our goal in life to lead the most courageous existence possible. Only in this way can we endure adversity.

11. “The truth triumphs by itself, a lie always needs complicity” – Epictetus

We know that the truth has a much more forceful value than lies. Proof of this is that we always prefer to know the truth before being lied to. Epictetus, in this Stoic phrase, highlights the value of truth, considering it as a virtue that sustains itself.

In contrast, a lie is fragile and does not last over time, that is, it is very likely that its falsehood will come to light. So, this is one of those stoic phrases that invite us to be honest and stay away from lies, Well, it is not a virtue and, therefore, it does not help us build a virtuous life.

12. “Prudence is the highest of all goods” – Epictetus

Prudence for the Stoics is ability to discern what is correct and virtuous from what is not. So, it implies the ability to make informed, rational and ethical decisions. If we have it, we will be rich intellectually.

Likewise, this leads us to consider that the Stoics did not bet on the accumulation of material goods or ephemeral pleasures. What they were looking for was something more rational, that would enrich the interior. And it could only come from wisdom, considered a supreme value.

13. “Where there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness” – Seneca

We never know the internal battles that everyone is fighting. That’s why, It is very important to always be kind to people. And this for the simple fact of being human beings, without discriminating based on race, gender, religion, among others. In this Stoic phrase, Seneca invites us to relate to others in a virtuous way.

In this aspect, Kindness represents an act of kindness and empathy toward others. Demonstrating kindness in all human interactions, even in times when this can be challenging, therein lies our virtue.

14. “It is not that we have little time, but that we lose a lot” – Seneca

In a world as fast-paced as ours, have you ever felt like you don’t have enough time due to all the pending things? This is one of those stoic phrases to think about how we manage our times. In reality, we all have the same 24 hours for chores.

How is it possible that some manage to do it satisfactorily and others do not? Maybe the answer lies in What do we do with the universal time that we all have? We may waste it on meaningless activities, banal distractions or useless worries.

Let’s do the exercise of asking ourselves: What are our priorities? How to achieve what I want? Self-discipline and time management help to better channel our rational use of it.

15. “If it’s not right, don’t do it, if it’s not true, don’t say it” – Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius urges us to think about the motivations for our actions. This Roman philosopher reminds us that Immoral actions that go against our ethical principles and values ​​must be put aside.

Likewise, honesty and truth always have to come first. They are virtues to cultivate; let’s remember that The pursuit of virtue is the central goal of Stoic philosophy.

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