Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism. In this week's Stoic Quotes episode, we look at Epictetus, Discourses, Book 4, Chapter 4, recorded by Arrian. He writes:

“But it is a much finer thing to be happy, to have a peaceful and undisturbed mind, to have what concerns you depend on nobody but yourself.”

At first glance, this can sound like withdrawal from the world, but Epictetus is pointing to something more demanding. He is reminding us that the moment we tie our happiness to externals, whether comfort, leisure, approval, or even quiet, we become dependent and easily disturbed. Stoic happiness is not about arranging perfect conditions, but about cultivating inner steadiness through right judgment. In modern terms, peace comes not from controlling life, but from aligning our desires with what is truly up to us.

This teaching echoes through Stoicism, from Marcus Aurelius’ emphasis on inner rule to Seneca’s insistence that freedom begins with self-command. It touches all three Stoic disciplines: Desire, by letting go of attachments to externals; Assent, by examining the judgments that create disturbance; and Action, by choosing what accords with reason and virtue, even when it feels uncomfortable. Practically, this means learning to remain composed when plans fail, choosing values over convenience, and finding contentment in acting well rather than feeling comfortable.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on Stoic inner peace and solitude:
https://viastoica.com/10-marcus-aurelius-quotes-on-being-alone/
And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes
Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.
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Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

In this episode, we explore what it really means to build a strong relationship, not from modern ideals of romance or constant happiness, but from a Stoic understanding of character, responsibility, and shared life. Relationships matter deeply in everyday life, yet they often become a source of anxiety, pressure, and confusion. The Stoics approached them differently, seeing relationships not as a solution to personal emptiness, but as a field in which virtue is practiced.

At the core of this episode is a simple but demanding insight: strong relationships begin with a strong relationship to oneself. Before seeking completion in another, Stoicism asks us to cultivate self-knowledge, balance, and inner stability. From that foundation, relationships become places of cooperation rather than dependency, growth rather than possession.

Marcus Aurelius captures this clearly when he writes:
“People exist for one another; you can instruct them, or endure them.”
Meditations, Book 8.59

For the Stoics, this wasn’t about ideal harmony or avoiding conflict, but about understanding our role toward others. When Marcus Aurelius writes this, he isn’t being cynical, but reminding us that relationships are part of our nature as social beings. They call us to act with patience, fairness, and care, even when it is difficult.

The episode also draws on Stoic reflections on friendship, marriage, and attachment, including insights from Seneca and Epictetus, showing that lasting relationships are grounded in virtue rather than pleasure, status, or fear of loss.

Here are a few Stoic practices from this episode you can explore in your own life:

• Strengthen your inner foundation – Work on self-knowledge and balance before seeking fulfillment through another person.

• Practice relationships as cooperation – Replace winning arguments with understanding and shared responsibility.

• Examine judgments in conflict – Pause before reacting and question the story you are telling yourself about the other person.

• Hold relationships with gratitude, not fear – Remember that others are mortal and changeable, and let this deepen appreciation rather than anxiety.

In a time when relationships are often idealized or feared, Stoicism offers a grounded alternative. It helps us approach love, friendship, and partnership with clarity, realism, and care. By the end of this episode, you’ll see that Stoicism isn’t a cold philosophy of detachment, but a way of building relationships that are honest, resilient, and rooted in virtue.

Listen to the full episode now and discover how Stoic wisdom can transform the way you relate to others and to yourself.

Read the companion article: [insert link if available]

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🎙️ Produced by: badmic.com

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

This is another Stoic Quotes edition, where we reflect on a single passage and its meaning for everyday life. In this episode, we turn to Marcus Aurelius and a note from Meditations 10.37:

“Learn to ask of all actions, ‘Why are they doing that?’ Starting with your own.”

In another translation, he adds:

“What is his point of reference here? But begin with yourself.”

Marcus is reminding himself that frustration often comes from rushed judgments. We often assume that others act to inconvenience or offend us when, in reality, they are guided by their own pressures, habits, and priorities. The Stoic task is to pause and question the story we tell ourselves, while first turning that same scrutiny inward. Have I acted like this before, and why?

This short reflection connects directly to the Stoic disciplines of Assent and Action. We cannot control what others do, but we can examine our judgments and choose a response rooted in patience rather than impulse. Practiced consistently, this habit softens irritation, reduces conflict, and helps us meet daily interactions with more understanding and restraint.

For more, check out this related article with quotes on dealing with frustrating people:
https://viastoica.com/how-to-deal-with-frustrating-people/
And if you’re looking for more Stoic sayings, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of quotes with full references to the original texts:
https://viastoica.com/stoic-quotes
https://viastoica.com/marcus-aurelius-quotes
https://viastoica.com/epictetus-quotes
https://viastoica.com/seneca-quotes
Make sure to subscribe for more Stoic Quotes episodes every Friday, as well as our Tuesday interviews and longer discussions.
Support the show
https://viastoica.com
https://viastoica.com/stoic-life-coaching
https://viastoica.com/benny-voncken
https://x.com/ViaStoica
info@viastoica.com
Produced by: badmic.com