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.
