The 4 Stoic Virtues
I have considered myself a stoic since college and have found that the values and tenets of this philosophy have helped me immensely. While the world was reeling from the global turmoil of the pandemic and continues to suffer amidst the conflict in Europe, I lean on the teachings of stoicism to keep myself grounded. It is closely connected to the practice of Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT) which has also been seen to help lots of people. For the sake of this article though I will simply be referring to stoicism.
Stoicism is a philosophy that has been around for centuries and is still relevant today. The four Stoic virtues, courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom, are essential principles that can help individuals navigate through challenging times. In this article, we will explore these virtues in depth.
Courage
Courage is the first of the four Stoic virtues. The Stoics believed that true courage lies not in the absence of fear, but in the ability to act despite it. Seneca would say that he actually pitied people who have never experienced misfortune. “You have passed through life without an opponent,” he said, “No one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.”
The world wants to know what category to put you in, which is why it will occasionally send difficult situations your way. When faced with difficult…
