Five Timeless Pieces of Advice from 300 B.C.

Stoicism is having a moment. Again. Like a philosophical cockroach, it refuses to die—probably because it’s built for resilience.

Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes self-control, fortitude and living in accordance with nature. It originated in Athens around 300 B.C. and was popular in Greek and Roman times. 

Why does this ancient philosophy still pack a punch? Because, quite possibly, it holds the secret sauce to a happy and meaningful life. See, stoicism is built on fundamental truths that don’t change. Ever.

Here are my five favorite Stoic quotes and why they still matter today:

1. “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

You can’t control the economy. Or whether your fav team made the Final Four. Or whether it rains on your vacation. But you can control how you respond to these things. And that’s where your superpower lies.

I often wonder why people freak out over things that they can’t control—things like traffic, weather or the line at the Post Office. Isn’t there always a line at the Post Office?

The Stoics would find all this angst exhausting. Their approach? Train yourself such that every idea that pops in your head isn’t necessarily a good idea. It’s okay to ignore some thoughts and to simply laugh away others.

Doing so will allow you to better control how you react to life’s uncontrollable circumstances.

2. “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” – Seneca

Blink twice if you’ve ever laid awake at night with your head spinning over something that might happen. Congrats—that makes you human. The human brain is a world-class fear factory, always cooking up doom & gloom scenarios that will probably never happen.

Yes, bad things do occasionally happen. But most of our suffering is our brain running amok, catastrophizing every minor inconvenience into an existential crisis that is very unlikely to happen.

You bombed a presentation at work? Called someone important by the wrong first name? Forgot someone’s birthday? Okay, it happens. It’s not the end of the world. Yet, in your mind, you’re already living in a van down by the River. Just stop it, already.

Seneca’s point? Stop torturing yourself with imaginary disasters. The reality is usually far less dramatic than the silly version in your head.

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3. “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.” – Seneca

People claim they don’t have enough time, but then spend hours doom-scrolling, binge-watching, or arguing online. Typically with total strangers who have a Star Trek character for their profile picture and live in their Mom’s basement.

Time is the one resource you never get back. Money? You can earn more. Energy? Take a nap. But time? Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. The Stoics weren’t about squeezing more into life, but making sure what they did counted.

I recently installed the Roots app on my phone that restricts my usage of Social Media to twenty minutes a day. Sure, it’s like being 14 years old and having my Dad tell me to get off the telephone (again). But, so far, I’m averaging a daily savings of 21 minutes.

So, track where your time actually goes. Then ask yourself if you like that answer. If not, change what you’re doing.

4. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

Here’s a hard truth: happiness isn’t about what happens to you. It’s about how you interpret it.

Two people can go through the exact same thing—let’s say getting diagnosed with a nasty disease. One sees it as a disaster and spirals into despair. The other sees it as an opportunity and embraces the challenge with gusto and vigor. Same event, different mindset; likely a different outcome.

Marcus Aurelius, who was running the entire Roman Empire while dealing with plagues, wars, and betrayal, still had the mental clarity to understand that external events don’t define you—your response to them does.

If your life feels miserable, are you focusing on what you’ve lost? Or what you still have? Are you looking for opportunities? Or just excuses? Happiness starts in your own head, my friend.

5. “If it is not right, do not do it. If it is not true, do not say it.” – Marcus Aurelius

Simple. Direct. Brutally effective. Of course, that assumes that you know whether something is right or true to begin with. Not always easy.

The Stoics didn’t overcomplicate things. They weren’t interested in justifications or loopholes. Their philosophy was clear: if something isn’t right, don’t do it. If something isn’t true, don’t say it. Period.

The modern world could really use a dose of this kind of wisdom right now.

Honesty and integrity aren’t about what you can get away with—they’re about what you should do. And deep down, you always know. Always.

(Hint: if you have to justify a decision to yourself, it’s probably the wrong decision.)

Final Thought

Stoicism isn’t about suppressing emotions or pretending life is easy. It’s about playing the hand you’re dealt with clarity, discipline, and resilience. The world is chaotic. People are irrational. Bad things happen. Stoicism doesn’t fix those things—it just helps you navigate them without losing your mind.

So, why does Stoicism remain relevant after 2,325 years? Because human nature hasn’t changed. The same problems Marcus Aurelius faced—stress, fear, time management, moral dilemmas—are the same problems we face today.

If you’re tired of feeling like life is happening to you, Stoicism offers a different approach: take ownership of your mind, stop wasting energy on things you can’t control, and focus on what actually matters.

Because at the end of the day, the people who master their minds? They win the game—no matter what century they live in.

What bad things have happened to you? I’d love to hear from you. I write purely for the joy of making new friends, so please reach out and tell me how you handled it. Click these button below to start a conversation with me. I read and respond to ALL comments. 

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