Letters from a Stoic

Stoicism is a philosophical school developed by Zeno of Citium (c. 335-263 BCE) near the end of the fourth century BCE. The name derives from the Stoa Poikile, a colonnade in the Athenian agora where Zeno and his followers gathered in the early years of the school. By the time of Seneca, Stoicism had been the most popular school of philosophy in the Greco-Roman world for centuries.

The Stoic worldview maintains that the universe is governed by a rational deity, known by various names such as God, Jupiter (king of the Roman pantheon), and logos (Latin for “reason”). Human duty involves aligning with divine will by adhering to the laws of nature. This entails accepting what fate decrees, finding contentment in living with necessities, and developing one’s reason, considered a divine gift that distinguishes humans from animals. Stoics assert that through reason, individuals come to understand that true good lies in arete (virtue), defined by the qualities of wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice. Virtue alone is deemed sufficient for happiness and represents the sole path to Stoic self-sufficiency, which entails immunity to suffering despite life’s adversities. Those who attain virtue are referred to as the “Sage” or “wise man,” depending on the philosopher.