Why Stoics Controlled Their Emotions

One major pillar practiced within Stoicism is the practice of controlling your emotional outbursts.

But why?

Why did the Stoics control their emotions?

They did it because not only did it provide tranquility, but also because progress is diminished without it. Both of these factors make up a virtuous Stoic individual.

Before I get in the details of how these factors make up a virtuous person, let me provide context with our quote of the week:

📚 Quote of the Week 📚

🔨 Why Control is the Stoic’s #1 Tool

I have provided my own analogy I personally experienced as to why control is a must-do in Stoicism in the video I released last Saturday, but I will provide another general example.

The first reason why control is the Stoic’s #1 tool is because it helps you not lose progress and any valuable time you have. Say for example you are doing a massive project for either work or school and you keep running into obstacles. It could result in draining your energy and slowing you down as time progresses. Controlling your emotions allows you to persevere through those obstacles (or any circumstance regardless) and produce the work you need to produce without slowing you down by much.

Not only that but control leads to tranquility and peace. Instead of being affected by insults and harsh comments, the Stoics say you can control your response to those comments. The Stoics outline that by controlling your response to these types of externals, you carve your own happiness, mental strength, and discipline. Exactly like Marcus Aurelius said, a true virtuous individual overcomes pain, pleasure, and even the rude comments people throw at them.

Bottom line, Stoics controlled their emotions because it leads to tranquility and virtuosity in life. On the other hand, it gives you that edge in any competitive field: progress is not lost, you discipline yourself to keep going, and you don’t allow the small things to affect you and jeopardize your work.

Cheers,

Betwixt

NEW VIDEO OUT NOW:
“Practical Stoicism #1: Why You Need Control Your Emotions”

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