Anup Chouhan's Key Ideas from How to Be a Stoic
by Massimo Pigliucci

• Stoicism began with Zeno of Cyprus and was later developed by Epictetus.
• Epictetus was a former slave who became a prominent Stoic philosopher.
• His teachings are central to modern Stoicism.

• Stoicism is about living in harmony with nature.
• It emphasizes the importance of reason and self-control.
• Stoics believe in accepting things they cannot change.

• This discipline involves controlling what you want and don’t want.
• It’s about focusing on things that truly matter.
• By managing desires, you can live more peacefully.

• This involves acting wisely and virtuously in the world.
• Wisdom is the key virtue for Stoics, guiding all actions.
• Actions should be based on reason and integrity.

• This discipline is about how you react to situations.
• It involves pausing before reacting to difficult situations.
• Stoics encourage thoughtful responses rather than impulsive ones.

• Stoicism emphasizes four main virtues: wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage.
• These virtues help individuals lead balanced and content lives.
• Practicing these virtues brings personal growth.

• Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions but managing them.
• It teaches you to acknowledge emotions and use them wisely.
• Emotional control helps you make better decisions.

Stoicism helps you cope with life’s uncertainties.

It encourages acceptance of things beyond your control.

Focus on what you can control to reduce stress.

• Stoicism is relevant today as it helps deal with modern challenges.
• It provides a framework for living a virtuous life amidst chaos.
• By applying Stoic principles, you can find peace and resilience in a busy world.