Member-only story
Stoic Wisdom for Times of Chaos
When the world is scary, find comfort in the teachings of philosophers who knew how to handle a crisis
We often think of philosophy as a bookish pursuit or perhaps as the lifestyle choice of bearded old men living ascetically in caves. But Stoicism — an ancient school of philosophy famously practiced by the likes of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius — is for the real world, and as we face the coronavirus pandemic, its teachings feel distinctly relevant right now.
When the future is scary and we don’t know what’s next, we can find comfort in the wisdom of those before us, those who’ve endured famine, plague, and natural disasters. Here are some ideas from Stoic philosophy that can help us in times of chaos:
Worry only about the things under your control
It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. — Epictetus
The weather, the actions of others, the way your parents treated you as a child, or viral outbreaks are things that are out of your control. Save your focus and resources for what you can influence.
Understand that you are the sole source of your emotions
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. — Marcus Aurelius
Events don’t create your emotions — it’s the stories you tell yourself about those events that determine your outlook. All conflict begins internally.
Get things done
It’s not that we have little time, but that we waste a good deal of it. — Seneca
The Stoics believed in being productive over being comfortable. Logically decide what needs to be done and get those things done. Keep your emotions in check and take care of your business. Be aware of time and avoiding wasting it.
Be present
The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately. — Seneca
The Stoics were against living in your head. We live in a time of great distractions. We’re also good at reliving the past and projecting ourselves into the future. Stoics were…
