Quotes about Stoicism

It is clear that bearing the cross patiently does not mean that we harden ourselves or do not feel any sorrow; according to the old notion of the Stoic philosophers that a greathearted man is someone who has laid off his humanity, and who is not touched by adversity and prosperity, and not even by joy and sorrow, but who acts like a cold rock.

At present there are among Christians modern Stoics who think it is wrong to groan and to weep and even to grieve in loneliness. Such wild opinions generally come forth from men who are more dreamers than practical men, and who, therefore, cannot produce anything else but fantasies.

At present, likewise, there are among Christians new Stoics who think it a vice not only to groan and weep, but even to be sad or upset. And indeed, these ridiculous ideas generally come from idle men.

I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?

The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.

It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid.

There is nothing happens to any person but what was in his power to go through with.

Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not "This is misfortune, " but "To bear this worthily is good fortune.

According to the Stoics, all vice was resolvable into folly: according to the Christian principle, it is all the effect of weakness.

Be your own master, and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal creature.

Reject your sense of injury, and the injury itself disappears.

It is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance