5 Stoic Principles Every Man Should Live By

Learn to lead with strength, purpose, and peace.

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A few years ago, I stumbled upon Stoic philosophy through Ryan Holiday's videos. I began following his content, which led me to the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca. I discovered new ways to live by and began replacing old thoughts and behaviors with new ones.

At the time, life was chaotic. It felt overwhelming, uncertain, and noisy. I was searching for something grounded and timeless. And Stoicism gave me that.

Through my findings and experiences, I learned that Stoicism isn’t about suppressing emotions or pretending to be a stone wall. It’s about mastering yourself so the world doesn’t master you. It’s a practical wisdom built to help you face life with clarity, calm, and character.

Here are five Stoic principles that every man (and woman) should live by if they want to lead with strength, purpose, and peace.

Focus Only on What You Can Control

In this world, there are things you can control and those you can’t. The Stoics recognized that the only things truly within our power are our mindset and actions. Everything else, like traffic, politics, the weather, and other people’s opinions, is outside our control.