How to live?

-Attempted to rid himself of negative emotion, and cultivate an inner strength and joy, no matter what external circumstances he faced.

-The Stoic must “necessarily be attended by constant cheerfulness and a joy that is deep and issues from deep within, since he finds delight in his own resources, and desires no joys greater than his inner joys. ”—Seneca

-The attainment of tranquility in the midst of struggles and joy in the midst of hardship.

-Living according to nature.

??Accepting fate &?

cultivating inner fortress of freedom ??

-“We must accept what happens as we would accept the fall of dice, and then arrange our affairs in whatever way reason best determines.”—Plato

Not up to us //Up to us

Actions/Opinions of other people//Our opinions /Judgements?

Health//Beliefs?

Reputation//Desires

Wealth//Goals

-Misery and suffering result from the fact that people made their happiness dependent on things which are ultimately outside of their control, and in doing so, enslave themselves.

-To give up our self-imposed slavery, we must regard as indifferent, all those things which do not lie within our control, and make our happiness dependent only on those things which are up to us.

-We can train ourselves to cease desiring the things which are not in our control.?

-“Whenever you see someone holding political power, set against it the fact that you yourself have no need of power.?

Whenever you see someone wealthy, observe what you have instead of that. If you have the absence of the need to have wealth, realize that you have something greater and much more valuable. One man has a beautiful wife, you have the absence of longing for a beautiful wife. ”— Epictetus.

-In their absence, the Stoic still lived a life filled with joy and tranquility; when external goods did come his way, he was able to enjoy them without being anxious about losing them.

-“It is in no man’s power to have whatever he wants, but he has it in his power not to wish for what he hasn’t got, and cheerfully make the most of the things that do come his way.”—Seneca

Embracing adversity?

-The loss of a loved one, the crumbling of career, sickness or the utter distruction of one’s reputation, are not inherently bad, but are only bad because we judge them to be so.

-See troubles as mountains to climb instead of pits to fall into.

-“Constant misfortune brings this one blessing: those whom it always assails, it eventually fortifies.”—Seneca

“Excellence withers without an adversary.?

Good man should not be afraid to face hardships and difficulties, or complain of fate; whatever happens, good man should take it in good part, and turn it to a good end.

It is not what you endure that matters, but how you endure it.”—Seneca

-A Stoic sage: “a man who is never alarmed by dangers, never affected by cravings, happy in adversity, calm in the midst of storm, viewing mankind from a higher level.”—Seneca

-Philosophy is a tool we can use to help us sculpt and shape our character into an impenetrable fortress, one able to withstand struggles and adversity with calmness and strength.

-How to make it through the battle that is life, not only intact but having lived the good life.

-“The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing. ”— Aurelius?