He who fears to suffer, suffers from fear.

Life: i'm gonna beat you up Stoic: not if i beat myself up first.

Stoicism in a way gives me optimism. In my opinion the key isn't too focus on the idea that life is going to turn out bad, but that bad things will happen and you can get through them. No one can take away your inner freedom, intelligence, and virtues. I don't view Stoicism as cynical, but as optimistic. It empowers you to strive for even more greatness because it frees you from the fears of failure.

"And when you really, really can't take it - suicide is always an option." I couldn't not laugh with how optimistically it was said.

"You need only turn over your wrists" seneca is savage af

“Don’t seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will-then your life will flow well.” - Epictetus

'What need is there to cry over parts of life when the whole of it calls for tears" So sophistical yet makes sense somehow.

"Life is 10% what happens to me, 90% how I react to it." -Scipio Africanus; Roman Genral, Statesman and Philosopher.

hope leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to fear, fear leads to.. the dark side..

Never before have I seen videos on KZfaq whose comments were worth reading. It's been so much fun hanging around with so many smart and sensitive people.

Would Stoic philosophy essentially be the “it is what it is” phrase

Mom: Don't think about bad things, son. If you think about them too much, they'll happen. Me: No, mom. They'll happen if they're supposed to. I just need to be ready.

Worse case scenario... I'll start over. No big deal. I have started over before.

Expect nothing and you won't be disappointed.

So in basically stoicism is mastering emotional neutrality.

"Know that fear of suffering is worst than the suffering itself" - Paulo Coelho

Stoicism is not pessimism, it is about neutrality.

stoicism, ripping off the bandaid of life.

"Never complain and never explain." - Benjamin Disraeli

In all of my engineering projects we used the "What If" this bad thing happens (and what to do ahead of time to mitigate it) during construction or the operating phase. Engineers are stoics by nature.

Hope is the universal panacea today. Every politician and every commentator says "we need hope" or "this gives us hope". In fact hope is a source of anxiety. With hope comes the possibility that you will not get. No one hopes for what is certain or what they already have. The more hope you have of winning a lottery, the greater your disappointment on losing.

I feel like stoicism is Roman Buddhism. Epictetus is my favorite stoic I've read,but I can't claim I've read them all.

It reminds me Seneca's ever famous quote - " we suffer more in imagination than in reality "

Today I discovered that I've been living my life with many of the Stoic's values. I always imagine the worst case scenarios, because it actually makes me feel better and eases my mind. I do also get annoyed at people who always assume things will turn out ok, even if there's no proof of a certain good outcome. I think of the worst outcomes because when something happens and it's not as bad as I thought I feel a million times better. Stoics are right about needing to be weary of hope, it does only lead to disappointment and crushed dreams. I like to look at the dark side of things because it helps prepare me for whatever happens, instead of allowing myself to be blinded unnecessarily by hope.

this comes down to having realistic expectations, particularly true in love, the fear of acceptance or rejection is all a frabrication od the suject's mind.

I tried to check out Meditations by Marcus Aurelius from my local library. The librarian and I were shocked to find no copies available. Some were checked out but many were lost or stolen. She said to me, "this must be a very good book, I've never seen anything like this happen before." I am starting to understand why this book is so popular.

I don't understand how this video was uplifting and depressing all at once. I want to laugh and cry simultaneously 😂😭

"Hope only lifts you higher for the eventual fall" 🔝

Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is one of my favourite philosophy books.

This video has started my cure of my anger problem. It COMPLETELY explained anger in a way I have been trying to my whole entire life! Thank you Stoics.

Anger stems when misplaced hope smashes into unforeseen reality. I love these videos.

This lesson made me understand that I am actually being stoic in life. I feel like this is where I belong

Meditations is truly moving and even life changing. I would totally recommend it as its mostly plain speaking. Its somewhat short and a seemingly self evident piece of gold.

"WHAT NEED IS THERE TO WEEP OVER PARTS OF LIFE? THE WHOLE OF IT CALLS FOR TEARS."

"Anger stems when misplaced hope shatters into unforseen reality" I like that

dang, the comparison between ‘not being angry at rain’ and ‘being angry when something unpleasant happens’ was what really hit the most. it opened my eyes a lot more to ‘expecting misery’ rather than ‘expecting the unexpected’ because expecting the unexpected is easy, but what isnt easy is the ‘cause and effect’ or the ‘reaction’ that comes from the unexpected.

happiness are fleeting moments, sorrows are the companion of the wise.

Epictetus is also one of the greatest teachers. Stoicism has had a major influence in my life. Going through major challenges and being calm. However, with time I realized that I see many similarities between Stoic and Epicurean ideals and I use both to develop my mindset. I also use Cynic values, I see Stoic wisdom in Schopenhauer, in Nietsczhe. For me, being emboldened, being strong, being brave in the face of life is what counts. And all these philosophies lead me to that direction. Thank you for the great videos. I really enjoy them and they are a quick reminder for me to get back on the right path :)

I became stoic after my first psychiatric hospitalization for mental health. I just didn't know what Stoicism was at the time. And had no idea there was a term that defined exactly how I felt until now. I called it an internal suicide pact.

"you are stronger than you think" that was exactly what my brother said to me when I faced a rough patch. teared up a bit. thanks a lot for the video.

"The whole of it (life) calls for tears." The imperfection of all humanity, the realization, and acceptance, brings peace. As well Wabi Sabi can bring peace through learning that we are allowed to, accept, love, and cherish, the imperfection we all posses. Nature must not be perfect, man is its greatest example of this.

so Stoicism basically champions rationality

Surviving a major earthquake taught me like no other experience I've had that what we see as settled reality is a thin, arbitrary film we've scribbled over the surface of an infinite and completely indifferent universe. The world not only doesn't care if we're happy or unhappy, it doesn't even know that we exist. I've never looked at life the same way since.

Difference between a nihilist and a stoic. Stoic: Shit happens. Nihilist: I do not give a shit.

man I can't stop watching these videos... I deactivated all my social media accounts, but still wanted something meaningful to research because I still utilize the internet. These videos have been great thanks

Pretty disappointed in this. Yes, there is a mention of expecting miseries, but there is no mention of the claim that people are disturbed not by things, but by their impression of things. No mention of how there are some things that are up to us, and others that are not. No mention of Zeno, Chrysippus, Epictetus. These are significant gaps.

I can't get enough of your videos. "The School of Life" is such an appropriate name for your channel. I wish all your videos would be also narrated in Spanish and that everybody since an early age would educate themselves in all these subjects, which ultimately leads to the understanding of oneself. Thank you SO very much for your illuminating job!!!

"Things are not as they seem." - Someone "All things pass" - Someone "don't try to be perfect, just try to improve & don't punish yourself."

Why didn't you mention the Greeks? It originated in the Stoa, although it was indeed very much popularized by the Romans.

"Hope only lifts you up higher for the eventual fall"

A better way to think is "Expect the worst but hope for the best". And even if you are disappointed what's the big deal? Just smile tell yourself it's ok and move on. I think it's a better way to lead life.

Reading The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius has changed so much about how I see the world. I love coming in to work and making the lives of other people better. I fear much less about the outcome and focus more on what I'm doing in the moment.

I've been turning Stoic and I didn't even realize it. Nothing scares me like it used to and I can handle rejection like never before. I think it's because I've been successful with my recovery and I've read allot of spiritual and philosophical book.

Stoicism is definitely one of those philosophies that deserve a closer inspection, not only because of its valuable content but also because it is easily misunderstood and can have consequences that are not necessarily to be recommended. For instance, while very emotional people might benefit from embracing the Stoic focus on accepting certain events for the time being, it can also be quite fatalistic. Secondly, in a society in which rationality dominates and emotions are neglected, being too much of a Stoic can lead us to disregard our emotions and their very necessary expression. If one is stoic only because one surpresses one's emotions for the sake of what should be thought rationally, that's a recipe for desaster. BUT: Ideally, one can combine the initial, healthy emotional expression with a follow-up dose of stoic putting-things-in-perspective.

I am so thankful to have read and still reading meditations! It's a life changing experience. I believe every politician or anyone conscious should read this text! Highly recommended if you are anyone! I love you all (:

That ending hit me hard. Especially with the juxtaposition of his uplifting tone of narration! hauntingly beautiful.

3:19 The Olli Kahn appearance makes me appreciate your channel even more. Just wow.

Love stoicism. It makes lots of sense. It's almost like living life as if market is always in deep recession.

A very good video. Some minor points: Nero being depicted entirely depraved, whilst Marcus Aurelius being called "kindly" when he could be ruthless. The picture used at 1:09 is a renaissance painting of Constantine "the great Christian" at the Battle of the Milvian bridge rather than Marcus Aurelius. An image from the "column of Marcus Aurelius" in Rome that shows some of the "scenes" of his campaigns could have done.

This video saved my life on multiple occasions thank you!

What are emotions but animals? But they are necessary animals, helpful even, beasts of burden that carry you through life. Rather than despise, deny, or make enemies of them...or simply let them run untamed, why not make allies of them. Anger may do stupid things, but righteous anger is a powerful energy that can trample over injustice. But you are the leader of that animal, and its reins are your perception. If you are quick to be offended by illusory threats your emotional animal will be quick to rage. Starve your animal and perhaps then it will seem easier to control, but that is an illusion. Real control comes from perception, and it seems a waste to throw your emotions away.

Thank you. This helps with my depression and despair.

I love the way they simplify a complex philosophy to make it teachable and understandable.

I was grown up a stoic not because of choice, nor because I learnt it at school. I learnt it at home through the example of one person (my father) but even more due to the constant but not continuous punches in the face that life would give me since I was a child growing up in a highly dysfunctional that still managed to look normal (which is even more horrifying because to most people I seemed lucky and it was great I was such a shy and well behaved kid outside while I would be THE devil by being a normally selfish or mischievous child at home competing with my nemesis, my always beloved, always protected "poor" cousin who would not have her father nearby but had her mother's whole tribe for her and against me. Not because I was inherently bad (now I know) but because they identified more with her and because she was the one with the foreign nationality, which automatically makes you "better" where I was born)

Brilliant series School of Life. I thank you kindly for making these videos both insightful and entertaining. Cheers from Australia

The picture choices in this are absolutely hilarious. Love it. However cynical I was feeling this morning, at least now I"m laughing. It's a start.

As one who has very recently become quite enamored with the concept of Stoicism, this is now OFFICIALLY my favorite SOL-Thank you SO much!!! Or rather, ahem.. thanks.

As my answer since long ago of being asked of if I am excited or not, I am not hopeful for nothing nor expect nothing of anything, and with that everything is a blessing.

I usually love these videos, but this one is riddled with historical inaccuracies and philosophical misrepresentations. Starting with the former, there is no evidence that Nero ever slept with his own mother (though he did have her killed) or raped young boys. Accusations of sexual deviancy were thrown about even more loosely in Rome than they are today, and usually represented general dissatisfaction with the administration. Similarly, Tiberius probably didn't throw recently deflowered sex slaves off cliffs, and Caligula probably wasn't sleeping with his sisters. Furthermore, Nero didn't have Seneca kill himself for no reason, he did it because Seneca had joined a plot against his life. More importantly, though, there are some deep misunderstandings of Stoicism here. There was no big Stoic 'but,' the whole point is that you very well might not be ok. You may be injured or even killed. The Stoic philosophy at its core is that one should only value what cannot be taken away, and for the Stoics this is virtue. The world is ever changing and beyond your control, so you must not value the world - the only value is in your own mind. Your wife is killed? Who ever said she couldn't be killed? Your leg is chopped off? Who ever said no one could chop off your leg? Finally, any summary of Stoicism with no mention of Zeno of Citium or Epictetus is just a joke.

Your voice in this video is so animated, i love it (as I always do)! Wow the Stoics are so interesting I want to learn more!!!

This reminds me of both existentialism and Buddhism down to its core. The recognition of existence and understanding of the inevitability of suffering, yet to find true peace you must recognize that it is the battle of self in which needs to be won

I am here because I am trying to deal with my anxiety, stress, worries and fears, which often paralyze me and put me in long phases of inaction and passivity. I am trying to pinpoint the problem and figure out how to deal with it. Glad that I found about stoicism.

i absolutely LOVE all of your videos!! they are interesting and I learn a lot - but you also succeed to make it really fun and entertaining! WHY cant teachers at schools teach in the same way? Plus all the pictures really help you to remember all the facts, thanks a lot!! :)

1:29 "They say things like 'it'll BE OK!'" (...) "The stoics were appalled. They hated any kind of consolation" 2:05 "BUT (...) one must keep in mind that one will nevertheless BE OK!" It's like "I don't like it when you say it, but I love it when I say it" WHAT

I absolutely love these videos. These are just perfect. The content, the illustrations, the editing, and of course the voice. This channel is my founded treasure.

In my opinion, this is by far the most useful of all the philosophical teachings you have covered.

the 4:53 minutes that changed my life

When I watch this old video, I can clearly hear the voice difference between then and now. This has more excitefulness while now it's more soothing. They both bring profound thought but if I had a say in it, I'd say bring back the excitement.

I was stoic since a teen before I even knew what it was. Now, as an adult, the more I research philosophy as a whole, the more I'm fascinated by certain outlooks I have on various topics in life innately.

In other words, as they say in AA, Your serenity is in direct proportion to your expectations.

Lord Baelish once said"Don't fight in the North or the South. Fight every battle, everywhere, always, in your mind. Everyone is your enemy. Everyone is your friend. Every possible series of events is happening at once. Live that way and nothing will surprise you. Everything that happens will be something you’ve seen before"

De Bottom is unusually excited in this video

To expect misery as we have learnt to expect rain. - love that philosophy/analogy

It's good to see old videos of TSOL to see how much they've improved through the years. :)

Epictetus???? The most important and has the most volume in his works.

This video didn't touch on them much, but I think the most important lessons to take away, especially from a modern viewpoint, are: There's a difference between an actual event, and our perception of it; something is only bad because we interpret it to be bad. These thoughts are irrational, as are all negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, jealousy, fear, craving, etc. They serve no purpose and are considered to be destructive emotions. We are naturally illogical and controlled by emotions, the key is to control our emotions and view events from a more logical perspective. As the video said, yes you may have lost your job but it's not the end of the world, to feel as though it is the end of the world is completely irrational and serves no logical purpose. *We cannot always control events around us, they are like a storm dictated by uncontrollable factors, but we have complete control over what happens within our minds.* - Sloth from The Goonies (1/6/2016)

When I first saw a video by School of Life I thought to myself, "This is very close to stoicism" So this video doesn't surprise me one bit. Great work guys.

Wow it hit me.. Im so tired listening to other people of the same lines when someone is in pain like no one is acknowledging the pain that you're feeling. Truth really hurts, you're on your own pain and if you're weak you're out. It is really survival of the fittest.

What about Epictetus? Oh well, no matter.

So I am a Stoic and didn't even knew it... Interesting.

Anger happens when misplaced hope smashes into unforseen reality ..damn !!!!so true

The story of Admiral James Stockdale brought me to an interest in Stoicism. After suffering 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton he said that he was glad that it happened!!! If you can be glad while suffering over 1 year in solitary confinement and torture then there is nothing, NOTHING that can keep you from happiness!! My "suffering"? It can't really even be called that next to what he experienced! The dialogues of Seneca are pure wisdom. I wish that I had made my children read them when they were young.

Hope is not a bad thing if there is a realistic chance for the good outcome to occur. As long as you are conscious of what might happen in the worst possible case.

I feel like I've cone to al lot of these conclusions already and now i have a word for it.

The pieces of text coming up that answer the question spoken, like the one at the beginning "life is very difficult", give me for some reason a very Grand Budapest Hotel feel, a wonderful film which is a very easy recommendation to anyone.

My dad told me to read up on Stoicism, it's actually sounding similar to how I think. Viewing this, and I'm realising things about myself. I enjoy the comments about 'hope' from you guys. I don't place hope in other people's abilities. That's where you end up getting let down. I keep the hope (that above expectation element) for myself and in my abilities. I would hope that I will do this or say that. Having hope in others hurt me alot growing up, I'm glad I learnt to stop it. Not 100% sure if this fits in completely with Stoicism (it's just my way of life), but I'm looking forward to learning more about Stoicism.

I finally understand that the Internet is full of stoics. Every yelling at people to kill themselves is such noble advice. As if.

To me, stoicism seems like the art of giving up; a tutorial on how to abandon the essence of humanity. There is nothing wrong with hope, with sadness, with happiness, with fear. To suppress emotion is to suppress humanity. It is not in our nature to expect all and to be surprised by none. We are built to search for what we do not know, it is lust for knowledge and for new experiences. To be let down after hoping for something does not mean you should never hope again, it is reason to turn hope into action and to learn. Stoicism argues to be the gateway to knowledge but how can one find knowledge of he is too afraid of being let down and not finding anything.

I love Nietzsche perspective of the Stoics which he articulates quite well in Beyond Good and Evil. "O you noble stoics, what deceptive words these are..."

Such a simple idea. Almost impossible to adequately implement but wisdom says you can only keep trying, courage keeps you going, virtue sets you back on your path and acceptance allows you to move on.