What is the secret of happiness, according to Stoicism

Notable philosophers emerged during the Hellenistic period, whose doubts and questions regarding happiness and balance in life it became one of the most important philosophical movements of the time.: He stoicismwith the Greek Epictetus as one of its major references.

This philosopher (55 – 135 BC) was the son of slaves in Hierapolis, in Phrygia (today Pamukkale, in Turkey), then lived part of his life in Rome until his exile, and there he finally arrived in Nicopolis, a city located in the north of west of Greece. This intellectual became even more relevant among academics when he began his studies on happiness.

Epictetus explained it philosophy It is a lifestyle and not simply a theoretical discipline. Starting from these foundations, the philosopher understood that external events are beyond our control and we must accept it, while as individuals we are responsible for our own actions.

From there comes one of his main theories, which indicates this “Happiness is not about wanting things but about being free.” That is, linking happiness with objects or desires will create a dynamic in which the person will have to make every effort to achieve them, losing sight of the enjoyment of the current moment as well as creating a cycle of permanent dissatisfaction.

In addition to emotional detachment from objects or desires, Epictetus was also a fundamentalist of carefreeness to achieve high levels of happiness: “The only way to be happy is to stop worrying about things that are beyond our control and our will”claimed.

“Man is not so much concerned with real problems as with the anxiety he imagines those problems generate. […] Man is not disturbed by things, but by the opinion he has of them. […] Events don’t hurt him, but his perception of them does,” he adds.

Meanwhile, the stoicism clarify this too To achieve happiness it is not necessary to fight against circumstances, but rather to accept them unconditionally.. There are even mechanisms adopted by these philosophers to help people accept things and lead a life with fewer worries.

Famous phrases from Stoic philosophy

• “It doesn’t take much to have a happy life; it’s all within you, in your way of thinking” Marcus Aurelius
• “It is not the things that happen to us that make us suffer, but what we tell ourselves about those things,” Epictetus
• “Often we have more fear than pain; and we suffer more in imagination than in reality”, Seneca
• “If it is not appropriate, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it. Be master of your inclinations”, Marcus Aurelius
• “Man is not so much concerned with real problems as with his imaginary anxieties about real problems,” Epictetus
• “There is only one way to achieve happiness: to stop worrying about things beyond our power or will,” Epictetus
• “Whenever you are about to point out a flaw in another person, ask yourself the following question: What flaw in me is similar to the one I am about to criticize?” – Marcus Aurelius