A Reference Guide to Stoicism

About the Book

Stoicism is a 2,300 year-old Greek and Roman philosophy that addressed human happiness. This book is a compendium of principal Stoic philosophers Cicero, Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius’ writings arranged by topic. On escape Seneca wrote whatever your destination you will be followed by your failings; on death Marcus Aurelius advised be content with your allocation of time; on happiness Cicero believed that a happy life depends on very little; and on suicide Epictetus suggested to quit the game when it no longer pleases you and depart. These are a few profound ideas from an ancient philosophy of life that explained things are what we make them; contentment does not come from externals; ambition, avarice and luxury impede happiness; use proper judgments; remain indifferent to matters outside choice; and pleasure and passion are the primary causes of human unhappiness. The writings of ancient Stoics reproduced in this book are as relevant today as they were millennia ago.

About the Author

John Bowman lives in Portland, Oregon, where he raised three daughters with his wife, Kathy. He has been a commercial real estate broker for forty years in Portland, where he owns a commercial real estate company. John is the author of numerous books on philosophy, real estate, politics, sports, words, Stoicism and humor. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 from Whitman College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1993 from Portland State University and a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies degree in philosophy and history in 2010 from Oregon State University. His master’s thesis, titled Stoicism, Enkrasia and Happiness, surveyed the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, particularly the famous Roman Stoic Seneca. Most of the references in this book are taken from John’s readings of the ancient Stoics