What is the definition of happiness? The four Stoic Virtues
What real happiness meant to the Stoics and how they were able to lead fulfilling lives and achieve long term happiness. 0 Comments We all have our ideas about happiness and how to achieve happiness. My question to you is: Is it short term happiness? Or is it long term fulfillment?
Wisdom
“The chief task in life is to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my >control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control.”
- Epictetus
- Look within yourself and focus on the influences you control. This way, the improvement you seek is always within your control.
Justice
To follow your path, you need to fight resistance
- Resistance comes in all shapes and forms
- If you fight it, the path is laid out for you
- No one should do harm to another
- Use common possessions as common and private as belonging to their owners
- We are not born for ourselves alone
Conclusion
The Stoics were all about making things look simple. Compare an iPhone to an iPhone: it’s easy to use, made possible by complex technology and a lot of thinking.
Temperance
“If you seek tranquillity, do less.’
- This is about controlling your desires, about not attaching emotional value to those desires.
- It’s okay to want nice things, but don’t let it consume you, stay in control.
Courage
This is about standing your ground and taking the path of most resistance, even when it comes to facing fear head-on because you know it will make you stronger.
- The courage to say no to things that don’t add anything to your life, and appreciate the process.
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