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

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Jul 16, 2020 · 2 min
654. If you are in Gyara, live as one who is in Gyara
Epictetus advises us to live the life we have, in the place we are, rather than indulge in regret for what we may have lost.
Jul 15, 2020 · 2 min
653. How to practice and what to practice
Epictetus gives us a very practical pointer about how to incorporate Stoic precepts in our lives.
Jul 14, 2020 · 2 min
652. Do not wish for figs in winter
There is a proper time for everything, including enjoying your loved ones. Keep it in mind, before they're gone.
Jul 13, 2020 · 2 min
651. Stoics have a duty to work toward social and political change
Epictetus tells us what happens when a person is truly free. Tyrants begin to tremble.
Jul 10, 2020 · 2 min
650. Why should we be good?
At Olympia you do not want anything else; you are content to have been crowned at Olympia. Does it seem to you so small and worthless a thing to be noble and good and happy?
Jul 9, 2020 · 2 min
649. Enjoy figs in the summer, don't wish for them in the winter
How can you wish at the same time to grow old and not to see the death of any that you love?
Jul 8, 2020 · 2 min
648. Practicing philosophy is like going to the doctor's office
Friends, the school of a philosopher is a hospital. When you leave, you should have suffered, not enjoyed yourself.
Jul 7, 2020 · 2 min
647. Focus on the deed, not the praise
‘He’s a clever young man and a fan of rhetoric.’ ‘How do you know?’ ‘He praises me.’ Oh, well, that proves it, of course.
Jul 6, 2020 · 3 min
646. Your roles in life
Let us play our roles in life well. Not acting lik a sheep, gently but at random; nor destructively, like a wild beast.
Jul 3, 2020 · 2 min
645. The ultimate locus of your freedom
Look, can you be forced to assent to what appears to you wrong?’ ‘No.’ ‘Or to dissent from the plain truth?’ ‘No.’ ‘Then you see you do have within you a share of freedom.’
Jul 2, 2020 · 3 min
644. Who are you, anyway?
My mind represents for me my medium – like wood to a carpenter, or leather to a shoemaker. The goal in my case is the correct use of impressions.
Jul 1, 2020 · 2 min
643. It's about deeds, not words
So you can talk the right talk about Stoicism. But do you also walk the right walk?
Jun 30, 2020 · 2 min
642. A philosophy needs to be digested properly, not just vomited
Those who have learnt precepts and nothing more are anxious to give them out at once, just as men with weak stomachs vomit food.
Jun 29, 2020 · 2 min
641. Reframing problems into training exercises
I have a bad neighbor – bad, that is, for himself. For me, though, he is good: he exercises my powers of fairness and sociability.
Jun 26, 2020 · 2 min
640. When the universe sends you a sparring partner
A boxer derives the greatest advantage from his sparring partner – and my accuser is my sparring partner. He trains me in patience, civility and even temper.
Jun 25, 2020 · 2 min
639. Don't make yourself a salve of others
For God’s sake, stop honoring externals, quit turning yourself into the tool of mere matter, or of people who can supply you or deny you those material things.
Jun 24, 2020 · 2 min
638. What is truly good or bad
‘Being healthy is good, being sick is bad.’ No, my friend: enjoying health in the right way is good; making bad use of your health is bad.
Jun 23, 2020 · 2 min
637. Examine your values carefully
When people say that the unjust person is better off because he has more money, what exactly is their system of values?
Jun 22, 2020 · 2 min
636. The character gap
Keep well out of the sun, then, so long as your principles are as pliant as wax.
Jun 19, 2020 · 2 min
635. The fine trappings of a horse
Are you proud of things for which you don't really deserve credit? Or for things that are not important? Reflect on this, and set your priorities straight.