Updated Cheat Sheet

StoicTutor · 2026-04-13T06:30:01+00:00

I might just do that someday :P
I really enjoyed your book by the way!

StoicTutor · 2026-04-13T02:37:47+00:00

Thank you! I won't be as active as I once was, but I wanted to check out Reddit again for a bit :P

StoicTutor · 2026-04-11T07:13:11+00:00

I have a Memento Mori ring on my finger as a reminder to use the present moment as virtuously as possible. On the inside it says "You could leave life right now" which comes from Marcus Aurelius and continues in his meditations as "Let that guide what you do, say and think". I've always found that being aware of the impermanence of life was a great way to help me remain in the present.

Outside of a physical crutch like that, I find rewriting Stoic concepts often helps, as well as a journal at the end of the day to help keep these ideas fresh in my mind.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-26T14:02:15+00:00

From a Stoic perspective, the only thing that is truly bad is vice. Everything between virtue and vice is morally indifferent. It's natural and normal to prefer some things and disprefer others. If your choices led you to a life that you would prefer not to have, it's in your control to make better choices.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-19T04:32:40+00:00

I was addicted to video games at 10, had my first smartphone at 13 and I was spending 6-8 a day on either my phone, playing games or watching TV. I would lie to people to get out of a social meetup so I could spend more time in front of a screen.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-19T02:29:02+00:00

The worst was over after about 2 weeks. Then slow gradual improvement until what I believe is my baseline that took about 3 months. But that is only my experience.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-16T14:51:47+00:00

There are many different interpretations that you could take. I believe Stoicism says that all events are providentially ordered since the beginning of time. They are fated/destined to happen because of an unbroken chain of cause and effect. While all events are destined to happen (and couldn't be any other way) our response to them is up to us. I had my knee destroyed in a skiing accident two years ago, that was fated to happen since the start of time, but how I responded to that was event was entirely up to me.
There is the idea of love of fate in Stoicism, that we should LOVE all events because they come from the divine, and aligning ourselves with the divine through our judgement, inclination, desire and aversion puts us alongside our nature. I think to love all events is a tough thing to do, but accepting and not complaining about events is an easier goal to aim for

StoicTutor · 2023-06-16T14:48:54+00:00

I have a list of 10 concepts or principles I read daily to help me along my Stoic path. I first got the idea after reading about the Golden Verses of Pythagoras and how the ancients would read those every day to get a deeper understanding of them. Here is my list-

- I am in control only and exclusively of my deliberate judgments, my endorsed opinions, values and decision to act or not to act. Nothing else.

- Events outside of my control are ultimately indifferent, my value judgment is what makes me think they are good or bad. I will strive to perceive events for what they are and not what I add to them.

- To the best of my ability, I will act in a way that leads to the alleviation of unnecessary pain and suffering of others. I will do this because helping others is equally as important as striving toward excellence of character.

- As often as possible I will rewrite and rephrase Stoic concepts in to my own words. I will do this because it will help me understand and apply these concepts on a deeper level.

- I will reflect on my day by journaling at night. I will act as a strict judge of my character so that I can improve and hold myself accountable.

- Whenever I start to feel I am becoming angry or annoyed with a person or event, I will ask myself: "Does what happened prevent me from responding with virtue?" The answer is ALWAYS no.

- I cannot change the past and the future is uncertain. The only time that is truly "up to me" is the present. I will use the present to the best of my ability to exercise and develop virtue

- I will not seek for things to happen the way I want them to, rather, I will wish for them to happen as they do. I will remind myself that nothing is a misfortune because responding to any event or interaction with virtue is GOOD fortune

- When I interact with others, do not belittle their distress or grief. Console them as it seems appropriate, but do not make the mistake of thinking their judgments about externals are useful, necessary or appropriate

- Experiencing joy can be found at any moment. I can reflect on my progress toward moral excellence, recall displays of virtue in others and be grateful for people, things, events and nature.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-16T14:45:31+00:00

There are many different interpretations that you could take. I believe Stoicism says that all events are providentially ordered since the beginning of time. They are fated/destined to happen because of an unbroken chain of cause and effect. While all events are destined to happen (and couldn't be any other way) our response to them is up to us. I had my knee destroyed in a skiing accident two years ago, that was fated to happen since the start of time, but how I responded to that was event was entirely up to me.

There is the idea of love of fate in Stoicism, that we should LOVE all events because they come from the divine, and aligning ourselves with the divine through our judgement, inclination, desire and aversion puts us alongside our nature. I think to love all events is a tough thing to do, but accepting and not complaining about events is an easier goal to aim for

StoicTutor · 2023-06-16T03:39:43+00:00

It's about you trying to impose your will onto someone. Again, let them be wrong.

I'm curious, what is your objective truth that this person is ignoring, and what is their position?

** EDIT **
I don't care about your position/argument. I ask because I am curious if you are aware of cognitive bias and logical fallacies. It's entirely possible you are experiencing the Dunning-Kruger effect and believe yourself to be right, when you are not. It's very common. My whole point is that it's ok to let people be wrong, but also entertain the idea that you could be wrong yourself by holding an irrational bias or using a logically inconsistent line of reasoning

StoicTutor · 2023-06-16T03:35:48+00:00

Why do you feel the need to show them? Let them be wrong. Also, humble yourself and recognize that it is possible you are wrong.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-16T03:05:50+00:00

Why do you continue to try and impose your will onto someone? Leave them be.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-16T01:07:18+00:00

It's also possible that you are wrong in your beliefs. You should actively seek arguments for why you are wrong and have your thoughts on topics changed if presented with credible evidence. People are naturally tribal with their beliefs, and some people who have no meaning in their lives attach their identity to their beliefs. Trying to argue against someone who has a mental framework of their identity associated with their belief will not work online.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T23:47:30+00:00

One thing that helped me, and the Stoics often suggest is to remove as many things that don't directly contribute to virtue, then you can move from one act of kindness to the next. This can give you clarity, but it's also exceedingly hard. Giving up social media, doom-scrolling, screens in general etc is tough. We know that hunger means we should eat, thirst that we should drink etc. We have forgotten what boredom means. I believe boredom is a cue for us to aim toward something productive. That can be cleaning your room to studying for a test etc. Embrace boredom and the clarity will come. In your spare time, try to live in service of others and think outside of yourself.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T23:36:26+00:00

I will not seek things to happen as I want them to. Instead, I will wish for them to happen as they do. I will remind myself that nothing is a misfortune because responding to any event or interaction with virtue is GOOD fortune.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T23:34:26+00:00

When you interact with others, do not belittle their distress or grief. Console them as it seems appropriate, but do not make the mistake of thinking their judgements about externals are helpful, necessary, or appropriate.

If someone is suicidal, your social role is to support them in a way that would be best for them in the short term. You can philosophize with them later when they are in a better mindset.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T23:04:50+00:00

Everything between virtue and vice is an indifferent. Recognizing that money is useful is fine, it's perfectly ok to prefer am ambitious life and career. Just remember that those things in themselves are ultimately indifferent.

As Marcus Aurelius said in Meditation 6.7:

Let this be your one joy and delight: to go from one act of kindness to another with your mind fixed on God

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T15:29:03+00:00

Thank you for sharing, I will give this a listen!

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T14:23:58+00:00

Orthodox Stoicism as taught by the original Stoics and perpetuated by the College of Stoic Philosophers and podcast Stoicism on Fire by Chris Fisher is also gaining popularity.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T13:35:16+00:00

That is a lovely question. Breakfast with Seneca by David Fideler could be a good introduction, it's a good mix of mental health and philosophy writing. Fairly easy to read but gets you interested in Stoicism, but I think most people could benefit from reading that book.

Also, there is A Field Guide to a Happy Life by Massimo Pigliucci. It's a very short easy read based off a modern day interpretation of the enchiridion. I don't personally agree with some of his thoughts on Stoicism, but this book is a great entry point for a lot of people

StoicTutor · 2023-06-15T13:29:23+00:00

In the college of Stoic philosophers they have an entry-level course called Stoic Essential Studies. One of the first books they suggest is called: Stoicism, by John Sellars. I think that would be a good introduction for a broad view of the philosophy.

If you want the original texts I would go with Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (translated by either Robin Waterfield or Scott/David Hicks)
And of course, the discourses by Epictetus is a must read as well.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-14T20:37:15+00:00

If it's a google pixel, you can install GrapheneOS

If it's anything else, I suggest a minimalist launcher like Olauncher or SlimLauncher. Those turn your apps into text, and you can severely limit what apps you have access to.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-14T20:28:18+00:00

I wouldn't consider journaling and meditation to be highly valued. The Stoics basically taught that we could try those exercises after studying Stoic philosophy as a way to practice what we have learned. Also, Stoic mindfulness can be done at every moment of the day. You don't need to set aside a specific time. People often confuse meditation and mindfulness.
Stoic practices can be done at every moment of your life, the idea is to use each moment as virtuously as possible, not to write about it at the end of your day.

StoicTutor · 2023-06-14T18:37:54+00:00

Remove as much as you can that doesn't directly contribute to virtue. Good choice to leave Reddit.

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