Stoic Meditations

The virtues are never in contradiction with each other. The vices are never good for the people who indulge them. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

We should all follow Seneca's advice, resisting the urge for revenge and punishment, and practicing mercy and forgiveness. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Both rulers and ordinary people sometimes turn cruelty into a pleasure. It seriously undermines the most precious thing we all have: our character. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that the human animal is a delicate thing, forgiveness for his mistakes is often in order. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Turns out that, when the proper criteria are followed, it is almost never the time to use violence, either as a society, or as individuals. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca provides a historically accurate analysis of the life of Octavian Augustus, the first Roman emperor. With implications for how to live our own lives. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

A cruel reign is disordered and hidden in darkness, and while all shake with terror at the sudden explosions, not even he who caused all this disturbance escapes unharmed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that prosecutors and judges might be corrupted, and that we have to take this into account when we act. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca issues a stern reminder to Nero about the responsibilities of government. It can all too easily be applied today. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca warns that the cruelty of people in charge of government can have massive consequences. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds Nero, and us, that not doing the right thing is first and foremost injurious to ourselves. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

With great power comes great responsibility, as both Seneca and Spider-Man agree. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca makes an epistemic argument to convince us that it is better to err on the side of clemency, rather than punishment. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca makes an argument in favor of a broad conception of clemency, not just on behalf of the guilty, but of the innocent and the virtuous. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca flatters Nero at the same time as he issues veiled threats to the new emperor, in case he steers from the right path. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

We begin the study of the controversial On Clemency, through which Seneca tried to steer Nero's course for the good of the Roman people. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus and Seneca agree: our own death is the ultimate test of our character, and philosophy is a long journey to prepare us for it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

'What then, if I fall ill?' You shall bear illness well. 'Who shall tend me?' God, and your friends. 'I shall lie on a hard bed.' But you can do it like a man. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

When you think about it, it turns out that we have far less control over things and people than we think, and therefore far less blame. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus says that our moral improvement is not like the Olympic Games: when we fail, we can resume immediately, not having to wait four years. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support