Cultivating Virtue: The Stoic Traits of Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, and Justice (Bandhu Dunham)

Stoicism is a philosophy founded by Zeno around the fourth century BC. It was important in Greece and Rome and culminated at the time Marcus Aurelius was emperor. The primary purpose of philosophy is to reveal our shortcomings so we can overcome them. Stoicism is about living in harmony with the universe. There are four cardinal virtues that Stoics cultivate: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. Pithy quotes that are useful to consider are discussed. Knowing the difference between what we can and can’t control is key to figuring out what to put our attention on and how to adapt. We find strength in realizing we have power over our minds, not outside events. Viktor Frankl, a concentration camp survivor who was aligned with Stoic philosophy, said that decisions not conditions determine what a man is. We may not be able to choose the conditions that come to us in life, but we can choose how to relate to those conditions. Wealth is to desire what we have; poverty is to wish for what we don’t have. Stoics maintain that our being is contained in an inner citadel that we create with Stoic virtue. We are invincible and cannot be defeated if we maintain our character and principles. Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius, was written for himself as a diary. There is a thread of accepting reality as it is when we are self-contained. Stoicism involves not being swept away by emotions and not being in denial of them. Happiness depends on the quality of our thoughts. We can see obstacles as directing us to shift our perspective and move forward. The trials we face introduce us to our strengths. Rivers are easiest to cross at their source. Once neuropathways are established, it’s much harder to break a habit. Stoic virtues are universal and offer a way into any spiritual practice. Bandhu Dunham is the author of Creative Life and an internationally recognized glass artist and teacher.