Occasional reflections on the wisdom of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers. More at https://massimopigliucci.com. Please consider supporting Stoic Meditations. (cover art by Marek Škrabák; original music by Ian Jolin-Rasmussen, www.jolinras.info). Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support
https://massimopigliucci.wordpress.com
Rich, and yet a philosopher?
Wealth ought to be despised, not that we should not possess it, but that we should not possess it with fear and trembling: we do not drive it away from us, but when it leaves us, we follow after it unconcernedly.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportThe basic precepts of a good Stoic life
Seneca gives us a handy list of fundamental goals to live a life worth living.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportWhen an Epicurean goes Stoic
Diodorus has said what you do not like to hear, because you too ought to do it. “I’ve lived, I’ve run the race which Fortune set me.”
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportAspiring to a life of virtue while being a fallible human being
I shall continue to praise that life which I do not, indeed, lead, but which I know I ought to lead, loving virtue and following after her, albeit a long way behind her and with halting gait.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportI'm not a sage, but I get better every day
I am not a wise man, so do not require me to be on a level with the best of men, but merely to be better than the worst: I am satisfied, if every day I take away something from my vices and correct my faults.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportBetween Cynicism and Aristotelianism
Why, then, do you talk so much more bravely than you live? Why do you pay regard to common rumor, and feel annoyed by calumnious gossip? Why do you drink wine that is older than yourself?
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportAre you controlling your pleasures, or the other way around?
Let virtue lead the way and bear the standard: we shall have pleasure for all that, but we shall be her masters and controllers; she may win some concessions from us, but will not force us to do anything.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportThe real problem with Epicureanism
Seneca strikes a sympathetic note toward Epicureanism, suggesting that it is a misunderstood philosophy, just like, in some respects, modern Stoicism turns out to be.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportThe balance between pleasure and virtue
You devote yourself to pleasures, I check them; you indulge in pleasure, I use it; you think that it is the highest good, I do not even think it to be good: for the sake of pleasure I do nothing, you do everything.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/supportWhy are you asking for more?
Does this not appear great enough, when I tell you that the highest good is an unyielding strength of mind, wisdom, magnanimity, sound judgment, freedom, harmony, beauty? Do you still ask me for something greater?
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