1.1 Judging even if you say you don't
We say we don't care what other people think, but the second someone judges us we feel insecure. We say we don't judge someone on who they are, but the second they are different we judge who they are. We are humans. It's what we do.
—Tom Jaspars, Stoic Philosophy 1.1
1.2 Anger is a hormone cocktail:
Don't get quick to anger so often for it can set a bad reputation on you. Anger is just a mix of adrenaline and cortisol and it can cause havoc to your mind and everybody around you. —Tom Jaspars, Stoic Philosophy 1.2
1.3 Luck is opinion:
As Epictetus said, "bad luck is opinion." But so is luck. One might work very hard on a project and when successful others will say "He just has good luck—for I only have bad luck." But take into consideration that success isn't based on luck but on hard work and determination.
—Tom Jaspars, Stoic Philosophy 1.3
1.4 Where, Who, What, and Why:
Someone who does not know that there is an ordered universe does not know where he is. Someone who does not know the natural purpose of the universe does not know who he is or what the universe is. Someone who fails in any one of these ways could not tell the purpose of his existence either. So what do you think of the man who fears or courts the applause of an audience who have no idea where they are or who they are?
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.52
1.5 Revenge is for the weak and stupid
Those who seek vengeance are riddled with anger and are not disciplined. Those who forgive are weak and think they are strong. But those who ignore have a strong mind and are disciplined and don't lash out.
—Tom Jaspars, Stoic Philosophy, 1.5
1.6 The three stories of Discussion
In a discussion about something that happened, there are three stories. One side of someone's story, another's side of someone's story, and the truth. For even if we say our story is the truth we always try to make ourselves less guilty than we are. Even if we don't mean to.
—Tom Jaspars, Stoic Philosophy, 1.6
