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III
Three Stoic quotes. Three practical applications. Three minutes.
Welcome to this week's edition of III by Stoisayings. In a world of endless talking and scrolling, these ancient Stoic principles remind us that wisdom lies in what we do, not what we say.
I.
"No longer talk at all about the kind of man that a good man ought to be, but be such."
The gap between knowing and doing is where potential lives and dies. Today, identify one virtue you frequently discuss or admire in others—perhaps integrity, patience, or courage—and choose a specific action that embodies it. Rather than explaining to a colleague how important honesty is, deliver an uncomfortable truth with kindness. Instead of praising the discipline of others, wake up 30 minutes earlier to fulfill that commitment to yourself. Our character is built not in our words but in the accumulated weight of our choices. The world has enough commentators; be the quiet practitioner whose actions render explanation unnecessary.
II.
"It is our attitude toward events, not events themselves, which we can control."
Next time something disrupts your day—traffic making you late, technology failing at a crucial moment, a meeting that derails your schedule—pause for ten seconds before reacting. In that brief space, ask yourself: "What aspect of this can I influence, and what must I accept?" Then, consciously choose your response rather than defaulting to frustration. This isn't positive thinking; it's practical power. By directing your energy toward your interpretation rather than fighting immovable circumstances, you reclaim agency in seemingly uncontrollable situations. Practice this mental pivot with small annoyances today, and you'll build resilience for life's larger challenges tomorrow.
III.
"We should not, like sheep, follow the herd of creatures in front of us, making our way where others go, not where we ought to go."
Audit your decisions today through this lens: How many choices have you made because they align with your values versus how many you've made to conform? This might appear in small ways—checking your phone because others are, pursuing career benchmarks that impress peers but leave you empty, or adopting opinions without examining them. Choose one decision today where you'll consciously break from the herd. Perhaps it's maintaining focused work when colleagues are distracted, spending money on experiences rather than status, or forming your own view on a polarizing issue. Independence isn't about contrarianism—it's about following your internal compass even when the crowd moves in another direction.
Until next week, Theo
P.S. Which of these three practices would require the most courage for you to implement? Often the action we most resist contains our greatest opportunity for growth.
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