Maxims To Live By

A maxim is a "short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct." Stoics use maxims in the way that a drowning man uses a life preserver. When things get tough maxims show us the way out. In my very incomplete study of Stoicism I have found that these maxims stick with me the most:

By Rufus:

"Only by exhibiting actions in harmony with the sound words which he has received will anyone be helped by philosophy."

By Epictetus:

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."

"Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us."

"No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen."

"If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it."

“When faced with anything painful or pleasurable, anything bringing glory or disrepute, realize that the crisis is now, that the Olympics have started, and waiting is no longer an option; that the chance for progress, to keep or lose, turns on the events of a single day.”

By Aurelius:

"Whatever this is that I am, it is a little flesh and breath, and the ruling part."

"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one."

"A man cannot lose either the past or the future; for he has neither of them, and a man cannot lose what he doesn't have."

"Misfortune born nobly is good fortune."

By Seneca:

"Verba rebus proba." Translated: Prove your words with things.