Stoicism is a philosophy that has been practised for over two thousand years, and is highly relevant today in the context of mental health.

Stoicism is partly a philosophy and partly a way of life, that teaches us how to be resilient and content in any situation. The Stoics were a group of thinkers and writers who lived in Greece and Rome. They created a system of logic and reasoning to help people live a better life. The Stoics say we should all do our best to be the best version of ourselves, every day. We should work hard and be excellent at what we do, but we should be humble and treat everyone fairly and kindly. They say we should always try to improve, but we should accept that fortune is fickle and we shouldn’t worry too much about it.

In short, the Stoics say that by becoming more resilient, by being excellent, by being humble, and by accepting that fortune is fickle, you will be happier and lead a better life. What’s not to like about that?

Who were the Stoics?

Stoicism was founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens, Greece in 300 BCE. Zeno was a Phoenician merchant who was so impressed with the philosophy of Socrates that he traveled the world to learn more. He ended up in Athens, where he began to teach a philosophy that combined the ideas of Socrates and Zeno’s own ideas.

Zeno’s students included Cleanthes and Chrysippus, who built on his teachings. They, in turn, taught other philosophers who spread the word of Stoicism throughout the Roman Empire. Among them were the Roman statesman Seneca, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Roman philosopher and statesman Cicero, the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

There have been many great Stoic thinkers, but we’ll mention a few here.

Marcus Aurelius

The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic. He was the last of the “Five Good Emperors”. He was known as a philosopher king. He was a great leader, and he wrote Meditations, which have been read by millions of people for centuries.

Marcus Aurelius was a realist, a man who saw the world for what it was, and not for what he wanted it to be. He always tried to do the right thing. He was a stoic, who understood that we should not expect fortune to always be on our side. And that we should do our best to be excellent, and treat everyone fairly.

Marcus Aurelius said this about fortune:

Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

Thomas Jefferson

The third president of the United States was also a Stoic. He believed that the pursuit of happiness was a primary goal of life, and that we should try to make the world a better place. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, which was one of the first documents to proclaim that all men are created equal. He also wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. These documents influenced the world for centuries.

Thomas Jefferson was a man of action. He was a man who did what he thought was right, regardless of the cost. He once said “I am a realist. I do not pretend to be an idealist.”

Marcus Aurelius and Thomas Jefferson both understood that fortune is fickle. They were both men of action, who tried to do their best in the world. They understood that we should try to be excellent, and treat everyone fairly. And that we should not expect fortune to always be on our side.

How to be a Stoic

Stoic philosophy is not like other philosophies. It isn’t a religion. It doesn’t ask you to believe in anything. Instead, it is a set of practices and beliefs that you can adopt and use to be a better person, today. It’s a set of principles that can help you live a better life.

To begin learning, I recommend reading:

Epictetus. Epictetus is the most accessible Stoic author, and a good place to start. The Enchiridion, or Handbook, is a short summary of Stoic philosophy that you can read in a few hours. It’s a great starting point if you’re new to Stoicism. Alternatively, you might like to try Discourses and Handbook, which contain many of Epictetus’s best teachings on a wide range of topics.

Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius is a hero of mine, and as discussed above is one of the greatest philosophers of all time. Meditations is his great work, a philosophical diary which has changed millions of lives. It’s an inspiring book, and one of the best works of philosophy ever written.

Seneca. Seneca was a Roman statesman, dramatist, and philosopher, who was a close friend of the emperor Nero. He was a prolific writer, and some of his best works are Letters from a Stoic, which is full of practical advice and wisdom.

There are few remaining works from the original Stoic thinkers; these are some of the best.

Stoicism has the potential to profoundly improve your mental health and wellbeing. It is a philosophy that’s perfect for the modern age, as it’s relevant and practical, but also timeless and profound. It’s a great philosophy to practice, and one that I highly recommend.