Stoic Quotes

                        

                               Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich 

“External things are not the problem. It’s your assessment of them. Which you can erase right now.”

 Marcus Aurelius

 

The above quote is a powerful reflection rooted in Stoic philosophy. It highlights the notion that life's experiences and situations are neither intrinsically good nor evil. Rather, our emotional and mental responses to these events depend on how we see and understand them. This knowledge enables people to achieve inner calm and take charge of their responses.

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External Things Are Neutral

The quote's opening statement, "External things are not the problem," emphasizes the Stoic view that outside circumstances are neutral. Their significance comes from the meaning we give them, not from their inherent worth or significance. For instance, depending on one's viewpoint, leaving a job can either be viewed as a crushing blow or as a chance for personal development. The actual loss of a job is an outside event that is free of sentiment or bias. This neutrality implies that unless we allow it, outside forces cannot actually hurt us.

This principle shifts the point of control inward. People frequently attribute their difficulties to fate, other people, or circumstances. The Stoic viewpoint contends that this kind of blame is unwarranted. Our mental reaction to the external circumstance is what generates distress, not the circumstance itself. People can begin to regain control over their mental health by realizing this.

Your Assessment Is Key

The second part—“It’s your assessment of them”—underscores the idea that human suffering arises from subjective interpretation rather than objective reality. Our emotions and responses are influenced by the stories our minds tell and the labels we give to experiences. When someone criticizes us, for example, the critique is impartial. Our perception of the criticism as an assault on our ability or value is what hurts or un-settles us.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which holds that our thoughts influence our feelings and actions, is consistent with this idea. We can change our emotional reactions and enhance our mental health by confronting unreasonable or harmful thoughts. In a similar vein, stoicism challenges people to consider how they interpret the world and to identify instances in which their conclusions are causing needless pain.

The Power of Choice

The final line, "Which you can erase right now," is a call to take action. It confirms that we have the ability to quickly alter our viewpoint. We have complete control over our assessments, unlike other factors that could be out of our control. In order to erase or reframe our judgments, we must engage in self-awareness, mindfulness, and logical thought.

For example, suppose someone is stuck in traffic and feels frustrated. The traffic itself is a neutral event; the frustration arises from viewing the delay as an obstacle or waste of time. By consciously reframing the situation—perhaps as an opportunity to listen to a favorite podcast like mine or practice patience—the person can erase the negative judgment and replace it with a constructive one.

Practical Implications

There are significant real-world applications for this quote in day-to-day living. It teaches us to be accountable for our responses, to fight the impulse to place the blame elsewhere, and to develop resilience when faced with hardship. By being adept at interpreting things, we can turn obstacles into chances for development and remain composed when faced with life's unknowns.

This quote essentially serves as a reminder of the tremendous influence we possess over our inner selves. Although we have no control over everything that occurs to us, we do have power over how we interpret and react to it. Greater emotional freedom is fostered by this realization, allowing us to live lives that are marked by peace, clarity, and purpose.

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