What will I learn about: why Stoicism isn't about suppressing emotions, but rather a practical guide to mastering your desires, actions, and reactions to everyday situations?

Discover why Stoicism isn't about suppressing emotions, but rather a practical guide to mastering your desires, actions, and reactions to everyday situations.

What will I learn about: apply the Stoic dichotomy of control to drastically reduce anxiety by focusing solely on what you can influence and peacefully accepting what you cannot?

Learn how to apply the Stoic dichotomy of control to drastically reduce anxiety by focusing solely on what you can influence and peacefully accepting what you cannot.

What will I learn about: the concept of 'preferred indifferents' and discover how to prioritize moral virtue over material wealth, health, or comfort in your daily decision-making?

Understand the concept of 'preferred indifferents' and discover how to prioritize moral virtue over material wealth, health, or comfort in your daily decision-making.

What will I learn about: how looking at experiences through someone else's eyes and developing a healthy attitude toward death can help you deeply appreciate life and make sensible decisions?

Find out how looking at experiences through someone else's eyes and developing a healthy attitude toward death can help you deeply appreciate life and make sensible decisions.

What will I learn about: Gain practical wisdom from ancient philosophers like Epictetus to navigate modern challenges, from office politics to personal health goals, with calm equanimity?

Gain practical wisdom from ancient philosophers like Epictetus to navigate modern challenges, from office politics to personal health goals, with calm equanimity.

How to Be a Stoic

Ancient Wisdom For Modern Living

Massimo Pigliucci

★ 4.6 / 5(560 ratings)

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Philosophy

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡What if you could eliminate stress simply by identifying the one thing that is actually within your power to control?
💡Have you ever wondered why ancient philosophers viewed the prospect of death not as a tragedy, but as a tool for living a more meaningful life?
💡What’s the secret to maintaining perfect inner peace, even when faced with the most frustrating setbacks of modern everyday life?

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Key Takeaways from How to Be a Stoic

✓Discover why Stoicism isn't about suppressing emotions, but rather a practical guide to mastering your desires, actions, and reactions to everyday situations.
✓Learn how to apply the Stoic dichotomy of control to drastically reduce anxiety by focusing solely on what you can influence and peacefully accepting what you cannot.
✓Understand the concept of 'preferred indifferents' and discover how to prioritize moral virtue over material wealth, health, or comfort in your daily decision-making.
✓Find out how looking at experiences through someone else's eyes and developing a healthy attitude toward death can help you deeply appreciate life and make sensible decisions.
✓Gain practical wisdom from ancient philosophers like Epictetus to navigate modern challenges, from office politics to personal health goals, with calm equanimity.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from How to Be a Stoic

Mind Map

How to Be a Stoic

Core Philosophy+

The Dichotomy of Control+

Virtue vs. Indifferents+

The Four Stoic Virtues+

Role Models+

Attitude Toward Death+

Handling Provocation+

Friendships & Conversation+

Daily Practice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9

Which of the following best describes a common misconception about Stoicism that the book addresses?

A. It is a purely theoretical philosophy with no practical application.
B. It encourages the complete suppression of emotions and a passive acceptance of life.
C. It focuses solely on the pursuit of wealth and material comfort.
D. It requires followers to isolate themselves from society and relationships.

Question 2 of 9

According to Epictetus and the Stoic 'dichotomy of control,' how should a person handle a situation like waiting for a job promotion?

A. Agonize over office politics to ensure no one else takes the position.
B. Accept that the outcome is entirely out of their hands and do no preparatory work.
C. Focus on doing the best work possible, then calmly accept whatever the outcome may be.
D. Manipulate colleagues to guarantee the promotion, as action is central to Stoicism.

Question 3 of 9

How do Stoics view material benefits like wealth, health, and comfort?

A. As 'preferred indifferents' that are nice to have but secondary to living a moral, virtuous life.
B. As 'chief goods' that are essential for achieving true happiness and tranquility.
C. As 'moral obstacles' that must be completely avoided to achieve philosophical purity.
D. As 'primary virtues' that demonstrate a person's success in mastering Stoic principles.

Question 4 of 9

Which of the four Stoic virtues did Socrates consider the 'chief good,' and why?

A. Courage, because standing up to adversity is the most difficult human endeavor.
B. Temperance, because controlling one's desires prevents all other vices.
C. Justice, because treating others fairly is the foundation of a functioning society.
D. Wisdom, because it is the only human ability that is good and useful in all circumstances.

Question 5 of 9

Why do Stoics encourage observing and imitating extreme role models like Marcus Cato?

A. To prove that modern society is morally inferior to ancient Rome.
B. To inspire us to find the courage to face the much smaller, everyday challenges in our own lives.
C. To encourage followers to seek out political power and military command.
D. To demonstrate that suicide is always the most honorable solution to political defeat.

Question 6 of 9

What is the primary purpose of Epictetus's advice to remind yourself that you are 'kissing a mortal' when embracing a loved one?

A. To practice emotional detachment so you do not care when they are gone.
B. To foster a sense of pessimism about the future of human relationships.
C. To recognize their impermanence, thereby reducing future shock and increasing your present appreciation for them.
D. To remind yourself that human consciousness is ultimately meaningless compared to nature.

Question 7 of 9

What does the Stoic practice of 'other-izing' involve when dealing with daily frustrations, such as breaking a favorite glass?

A. Blaming the misfortune on someone else to protect your own mental tranquility.
B. Considering how calmly you would react if the exact same misfortune had happened to a friend.
C. Suppressing your anger until you are alone, so as not to bother other people.
D. Immediately replacing the broken item to minimize the time spent feeling sad.

Question 8 of 9

Drawing on Aristotle, which type of friendship did the Stoics consider to be true friendship?

A. Friendships of utility, based on mutual advantage and networking.
B. Friendships of pleasure, based on shared hobbies and having fun in the present.
C. Friendships of the good, based on a deep affinity in personality and shared virtues.
D. Friendships of circumstance, based on living in the same neighborhood or working together.

Question 9 of 9

What actionable daily routine does the author suggest to help guide you toward a good Stoic life?

A. Meditating on your own death for an hour every morning.
B. Honestly reflecting on your daily actions, decisions, and habits in a quiet place before going to sleep.
C. Writing a public blog post about your moral victories to inspire others.
D. Fasting every evening to practice temperance and build physical endurance.

How to Be a Stoic — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — Stoicism provides a practical, sensible guide to facing life’s problems and challenges.
32 — Not everything is in our control, so focus on what you can influence and let go of the rest.
43 — Stoics taught that we should pursue moral virtue over wealth, health, or comfort.
54 — Stoic ideas of virtue, grounded in wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice, remain important.
65 — Studying and imitating role models is an effective path to living well.
76 — Stoicism can strengthen your attitude toward death.
87 — Pause and reflect; see things from others’ perspectives to better handle provocation and misfortune.
98 — Invest in genuine friendships and meaningful conversation for a better life.
109 — Final summary

How to Be a Stoic Summary & Overview

In How to Be a Stoic (2018), philosopher Massimo Pigliucci explores how the ancient philosophy of Stoicism can guide us toward a good life. He shows how Stoicism can help us focus on what we can change, come to peace with the prospect of death and deal with frustrations and problems in everyday life.

Who Should Listen to How to Be a Stoic?

Anyone interested in philosophy
People in search of a better way to live their lives
Anyone struggling to come to terms with things beyond their control

About the Author: Massimo Pigliucci

Massimo Pigliucci is a professor of philosophy at CUNY-City College. Formerly a professor of ecology and evolution, he is a former co-host of the popular podcast, Rationally Speaking.

How to Be a Stoic

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to How to Be a Stoic — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from How to Be a Stoic

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

How to Be a Stoic — Full Chapter Overview

How to Be a Stoic Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to How to Be a Stoic?

About the Author: Massimo Pigliucci

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