Hacker News Reader

Comment by sn41 | Hacker News Reader

I have found that adopting stoic principles actually reduces my motivation to do anything. I think stoicism lacks the emotional content and passion that causes us to attempt great things. Of course, there may be grief and disappointment, but being detached at the outset seems to rob me of some of the impetus and grit required.

View on HN

Being Stoic does not require one to give up ambitions, self improvement or planning. It only requires that you stay open to the good and guard against the bad.

“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” ~ Aurelius

"Our life is what our thoughts make of it." ~ Aurelius

"It's a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness." ~ Seneca

Passion to enjoy life is a founding principle of stoicism. Whilst there is a lot of thought around letting go of stress, and emotions that might be viewed as negative, there's a lot about seeking out enjoyment and pleasure as well. The "no passion" often seems to come across as a translation issue.

> Never to give the impression of anger or any other passion, but to combine complete freedom of passion with the greatest of human affection. - Aurelius

The greatest of human affection, the love of one another, is clearly not passionless, as we understand it.

We're supposed to get excited about family, about love, about truth and justice, according to other parts of the Meditations. Life isn't meant to be empty and disconnected. Its just about choosing things that are worth getting excited about.

I suppose I could argue here that you may have misunderstood stoicism, but the funny thing about stoicism is that it's kind of pointless to argue back and forth about what makes one a stoic. A true stoic wouldn't care if they were stoic, they'd simply be.

> Put an end once for all to this discussion of what a good man should be, and be one.

What are these Stoic principles you refer to? Because the only good in Stoicism is virtue, which obligates us to do the greatest things possible within our power.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com