30 Simple Sketches To Understand Key Stoic Concepts

The wisdom of Stoicism illustrated clearly

The ancient Stoics would often reduce key philosophical concepts into short sayings or maxims.

Not only did stating these principles in a few simple words help them more easily remember the broader idea, but it also deepened their understanding as they worked to adequately convey something potentially complex in a straightforward way.

In this spirit, I have created 30 simple illustrations based on Stoic (and some non-Stoic) quotes that I hope will help you to understand, and later recall, some of these important concepts.

1. Marcus Aurelius

Be your own savior, if you care for yourself, by abandoning vain hopes for the future while you still can.

— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.14

2. Seneca

While we are postponing, life speeds by.

— Seneca, Letters 1.2