The philosophy
The Stoics held that we suffer less from events than from our judgments about them, and that peace begins with seeing clearly what is and is not in our control.
The four virtues
- Wisdom — to see clearly what is within your control.
- Courage — to refuse to be governed by fear.
- Justice — to give each person their due.
- Temperance — to respond deliberately rather than react.
Three voices
- Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD), Roman emperor, author of the private notes known as Meditations.
- Seneca (4 BC–65 AD), statesman and writer of the Letters on Ethics.
- Epictetus (50–135 AD), born a slave, teacher of inner freedom.