Anyone completely new to Stoicism who is going to follow the Stoic Week may want to read some ancient Stoic texts but not know where to begin. For the purposes of this project I would recommend two texts: The Handbook of Epictetus (cited a number of times in the booklet) and Seneca’s On the Shortness of Life. Both of these texts are short, accessible, and to the point. Reading them and reflecting on their ideas would itself form a productive exercise during the week. I have made copies of both available online, and they should display reasonably well on mobile devices.
Thanks, John – that is very useful
“Nothing can happen to any human being which is not an accident natural to humanity, nor to an ox which is not natural to oxen, nor to a vine which is not natural to vines, nor to a stone which is not proper to a stone. So if there happens to each only what is both customary and natural, why should you be aggrieved? For universal nature never brings you anything which you are unfitted to bear.”
Sorry if it’s inappropriate, I didn’t see a better place to post quotes for reflection. That is Meditations, Book 8, 46