The collection

Articles

Essays and guides on Stoic thought and the practice of living well, for the newcomer and the long-time reader alike.

This is our growing collection of writing on Stoicism: clear guides for those just arriving, reflections on putting the philosophy to work, and explorations of its texts and history. Here you will find:

Introductions to Stoicism

Clear guides for those new to Stoic thought.

Practical reflections

Applying Stoic principles to real challenges such as stress, relationships, resilience and decision-making.

Scholarship and history

In-depth explorations of the Stoic texts, the thinkers and the development of the philosophy.

Voices of today

Pieces by New Zealanders and international contributors on how Stoicism shapes their lives.

Browse

Explore the collection

Start here

Begin Here

A short path into Stoicism for newcomers and returners.

What is Stoicism?

An introduction to the philosophy and what it holds.

Recommended Reading

Where to start, and the fuller library of sources.

Foundations

Who Were the Stoics?

The people, from a porch in Athens to a Roman emperor.

Living in Agreement with Nature

The Stoic account of what makes a life go well.

The Dichotomy of Control

The single most useful idea in Stoicism.

A Timeline of Classical Philosophy

From Thales to Plotinus, the wider tradition behind the Stoics.

Mind and emotion

The Stoic View of Emotions

Why feeling, for the Stoics, begins in judgement.

Stoicism and Modern Psychology

The ancient root of cognitive behavioural therapy.

Practice

The Three Disciplines

Epictetus’s daily training in desire, action and judgement.

A Stoic Day

The exercises that turn the philosophy into practice.

Memento Mori

On death and time, and using a life well.

In context

Common Misconceptions

What Stoicism is not, and what it actually is.

Stoicism and Other Traditions

How it sits beside Aristotle, Buddhism and more.

Our collection draws on the works of the ancient Stoics, Zeno, Cleanthes, Chrysippus, Seneca, Epictetus, Musonius Rufus and Marcus Aurelius, while also engaging with contemporary psychology, philosophy and lived experience.

We welcome contributions from members and guest writers who share our aim of cultivating wisdom, virtue and resilience in modern life. If you would like to write for us, please get in touch.

Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.

Attributed to Epictetus