This a compilation of some of the best quotes from some of the brightest Stoic minds in history, coupled with our own evaluations and interpretations.
Stoics are known for their eloquent use of words and fluent language, and the philosophy of their words has echoed throughout human history. The following is a compilation of some of the most powerful and inspirational Stoic quotes ever recorded, which you will find in no particular order. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed recording them, and hope you learn a lesson or two along the way.
1. “To be even minded is the greatest virtue”
Heraclitus
The meaning behind this quote is as follows: possessing reason, logic and the right state of mind is the greatest asset a man or woman can acquire. With these qualities we can develop wisdom and insight, which is the mark of a true philosopher.
2. “Just keep in mind: the more we value things outside our control, the less control we have”
Epictetus
Epictetus was explaining that we should focus only on the things that we have control over and not suffer over the things that are out of our control. The advice that Epictetus provides here should not be discarded, but instead it should be embraced. He is telling us to not waste time on things we cannot change, only to concentrate our time on the things in life where we can make meaningful and contributing changes.
3. “It does not matter what you bear, but how you bear it”
Seneca
The great Roman Stoic Seneca believed that our actions are what count, rather than what we inherit. For example, it does not matter whether you inherit the crown from your father; what matters is the type of king you become and the decisions you make as a leader. In addition, it does not matter if you are dealing with pain or grief or hardship, what truly matters is how you carry that burden and what you chose to do with it.
4. “Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.”
James Allen
This quote is one of our favorites, as it is powerful in both its scope and its meaning. Let us split the quote into three parts.
The first: “self-control is strength”. The importance of this statement should not be underestimated; when a person is in control of their emotions and actions, they will be more effective and produce better results.
The second: “right thought is mastery”. If a person thinks logically and clearly, they will be able to understand the world around them and thus conquer it through the power of their mindset.
The third: “calmness is power”. Staying calm in situations of conflict can be surprisingly powerful and effective. There is a saying that a father’s stare can be far more powerful than any words he utters. At times, that complete calmness is not an indication of timidity or fear, but instead a demonstration of a person’s strength in not rising to insult.
5. “Man conquers the world by conquering himself”
Zeno of Citium
Now, that is what we call a quote. The honesty and profoundness of this statement is perhaps in a league of its own. Zeno speaks volumes on how leaders should act now and in the future. Essentially, in order to rule the world, one must first master their own mind and soul.
6. “When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval”
Epictetus
The meaning behind this saying is that the only approval you truly need is your own. If you respect yourself, then others ought to respect you as well, since the value you determine for yourself will be the value the world responds to. In the end, people will judge you based on how you judge yourself. If you regard yourself negatively, you’re only inviting others to view you in the same negative light. The world will form an image of you based on the image you have created of yourself. So, rather than allowing people to form their own opinions of you, lead them towards the opinion you already have of yourself.
7. “The ultimate power in life is to be completely self-reliant, completely yourself”
Robert Greene
At the end of the day, when one is completely and utterly self-reliant, he or she is also free of any external influence. He or she dictates their own destiny and can express themselves in the most unique ways. For example, a nation that is independent from external influences and not reliant on foreign economies or military protection can live within its own means and create their own domestic policies without any undue outside influence and manipulations. For a more personal example, when you are completely self-reliant, you are free from the potentially negative influences of outside sources and fully open to be your true self.
8. “He has the most who is content with the least.”
Diogenes
Diogenes was otherwise known as Diogenes the Cynic, an ancient Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynicism. Although this is not specifically a Stoic quote, it is highly translatable into the beliefs of our focus philosophy. Diogenes knew that true wealth is found in how our minds perceive the world; it is the gratitude we build within us, not the wealth we have accumulated. This gratitude allows us to cherish what we have, even if it is not much.
If you are rich in mind, heart and soul then you will be more satisfied in life than those who are not. You may have all the riches in the world, but if your mindset is unexamined, you will be happy with nothing and are truly poor as a pauper.
9. “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials”
Seneca
Seneca believed that the trials of life bring out the best character in people and that hardship is the way to bring about that character. In sports commentary, people often say that the mark of great sportsperson is not whether they can win under perfect conditions, but whether they can win under difficult circumstances. Just like a gem, we must be sanded down and polished into our true forms. That process may not always be comfortable, but it is sometimes necessary.
10. “It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than people, but care more about their opinions than our own.”
Marcus Aurelius
This quote exposes the ironic nature of humans, and serves as a straightforward reminder to value what is truly important. What is important are our opinions, principles and values, and sticking to them no matter the circumstances. Where is the value in caring about others’ opinions more than our own, especially when we already know what is true or false about ourselves?
That being said, sticking to your views and beliefs does not mean being stubborn or dogmatic; it is not an invitation to be inflexible and incapable of listening to others’ opinions. Marcus Aurelius does not encourage us to ignore opposing beliefs about the world; he simply urges us to not give value to false opinions about our character, and to focus on what we know to be true about ourselves.
