Stoic Meditations

Massimo Pigliucci

Occasional reflections on the wisdom of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers with Prof. Massimo Pigliucci. Complete index by author and source at https://massimopigliucci.org/stoic-podcast/. (cover art by Marek Škrabák; original music by Ian Jolin-Rasmussen).

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1,094 episodes
Updated Aug 23, 2022

Episodes1094

Newest first

Sep 10, 2020 · 2 min
694. Don't go after fool's gold
These good things which men gaze at in wonder, which they crowd to see, which one points out to another with speechless admiration, are outwardly brilliant, but within are miseries to those who possess them.
Sep 9, 2020 · 2 min
693. Living by reason, not by imitation of others
Nothing gets us into greater troubles than our subservience to common rumor, living not by reason but by imitation of others.
Sep 8, 2020 · 2 min
692. What is happiness anyway?
Seneca advises his brother, and us, not to listen to the random "shouts and clamors" of people, but to reflect carefully on what happiness is and how to achieve it.
Sep 7, 2020 · 2 min
691. Do not wish for impossible things
We know that certain things are features of the world. Like the existence of annoying people. Do not wish them away, because that is impossible. Rather, teach them, or bear with them.
Sep 4, 2020 · 2 min
690. Do not wait for Plato's Republic
Do not expect Plato’s Republic: but be content if the smallest thing goes on well, and consider such an event to be no small matter.
Sep 3, 2020 · 2 min
689. Either god or randomness
In a word, if there is a god, all is well; and if chance rules, do not also be governed by it.
Sep 2, 2020 · 2 min
688. Do not concern yourself with other people's opinions
Other people's opinions are not under your control, so focus instead on your own judgments and decisions to act or not to act.
Sep 1, 2020 · 2 min
687. Negative and positive actions on behalf of the cosmopolis
As you yourself are a component part of a social system, so let every act of yours be a component part of social life.
Aug 31, 2020 · 2 min
686. Everything changes
All things are changing: and you yourself are in continuous mutation and in a manner in continuous destruction, and the whole universe, too.
Aug 28, 2020 · 2 min
685. The importance of our ruling faculty
Things stand outside of us, themselves by themselves, neither knowing anything of themselves nor expressing any judgment.
Aug 27, 2020 · 2 min
684. Objective situations and subjective judgments
Today I have got out of all trouble, or rather I have cast out all trouble, for it was not outside, but within and in my opinions.
Aug 26, 2020 · 2 min
683. Apply reason to social improvement
Labor not as one who is wretched, nor yet as one who would be pitied or admired; but direct your will to one thing only: to act or not to act as social reason requires.
Aug 25, 2020 · 2 min
682. Teach them or bear with them
If you are able, correct by teaching those who do wrong; but if you cannot, remember that indulgence is given to you for this purpose.
Aug 24, 2020 · 2 min
681. When peope do wrong they hurt themselves first
He who does wrong does wrong against himself. He who acts unjustly acts unjustly to himself, because he makes himself bad.
Aug 21, 2020 · 2 min
680. Pain, pleasure, and injustice
Our fear of pain and our desire for pleasure sometimes lead to injustice. Let that not be the case.
Aug 20, 2020 · 3 min
679. The nature of injustice
Marcus Aurelius thinks injustice is a type of impiety against the cosmos. Modern Stoics have updated the concept, since we don't believe the universe to be a sentient living being.
Aug 19, 2020 · 2 min
678. Setting up again what chance has overthrown
From a Stoic point of view, there is absolutely nothing more important in life than to exercise our virtue in order to help our fellow brothers and sisters of the human cosmopolis.
Aug 18, 2020 · 2 min
677. Help, instead of pity, others
The wise person will not pity others, but will help them and be of service to them, seeing that he is born to be a help to all people and a public benefit.
Aug 17, 2020 · 2 min
676. The ideal ruler
Seneca details the characteristics of the ideal ruler. We should look for the same in the people who govern us. And in ourselves.
Aug 14, 2020 · 2 min
675. Stoicism in the service of all
No school of philosophy is more gentle and benign, none is more full of love towards man or more anxious to promote the happiness of all.