How the Stoics solved life

Hey,

It’s been said that the Stoics could explain why their philosophy was the best.

Well, you might have to need my book (Persist & Resist) to come out and find out why…

But here’s a hint.

Last week, I finished the first draft.

But I had a new problem now.

You see, I started writing this book 2 years ago.

And my opinions, knowledge, and the way I write have changed.

That’s why I needed to begin the second draft.

But before that, I needed to do something else first:

Reorder the chapters.

Because I didn’t want this book to be merely:

1. Do this.

2. Apply this.

3. Stop this.

I want this to be an emotional journey for you, the reader.

After 9 hours, I made it.

As you’ll read in the Intro (“The Philosophy That Tried To Solve The Universe”)…

This book is one big puzzle.

And to complete the puzzle, you have to read through the end.

Because each part is interconnected.

And the whole book is one big story.

And it’s the one Stoics would publish—I hope—if they were alive today.

To help us—their students—solve life with their teachings.

Here’s what that story is:

(Spoiler Alert)

Problems will never stop. They are the price of being alive.

But you don’t have to suffer because of them.

Because what happens to you is neutral. You are the one who calls it good or bad—based on the story you tell yourself.

Once you see that, you’ll realize something life-changing: even misfortune can become fuel. Every obstacle can be turned upside down and used as a tool for strength.

And that’s the only path to true freedom—to turn pain into purpose.

But it all begins with one principle:

Some things are within your control; others are not. Confuse the two, and you guarantee misery. Understand the difference, and you take your first breath of freedom.

From that realization comes responsibility.

You stop blaming the world.

You stop expecting fairness.

You start mastering yourself.

And when you do, you see that even the worst outcome can be faced calmly. Because you prepared for it, accepted it, and even loved it.

But the mind still plays tricks.

It invents fears, imagines losses, and suffers twice.

That’s why you need courage—to face reality—and responsibility—to own your reactions.

Because the truth no one can ever tell you is:

No one can harm you without your permission.

Only false judgments can wound you.

And when you abandon your duty to reason, you wound yourself.

Understand: The world needs people like you—who live by this law.

Because if you won’t act rightly—who will?

Do the right thing. It’s enough.

But be careful. Because the hardest battle comes after virtue. And it’s the war against your own ego.

It will whisper that you deserve more, that you are special, and that the world owes you.

That’s when desire begins to enslave you.

And pleasure—it’s twin—tries to enslave you.

The cure?

Meaning.

Not the hollow kind that hides behind fame or money. But the kind that gives shape to your suffering.

Be careful what you call “purpose,” though.

Even noble ambitions can rot if born from vanity.

So, stay grateful.

See how little you actually need to live well.

And when love enters your life, love without losing yourself.

Hold people, but don’t cling. Care, but don’t cage.

Because life is shorter than it feels.

You think you have time.

You don’t.

You waste most of it on things that won’t matter when death knocks.

And it will knock.

But don’t worry: death isn’t a curse.

It’s a mirror.

Use it. Let it burn away what’s trivial.

Fear not what must come.

Fear a life unlived.

Everything you love will fade.

Everyone you love will go.

So love them now, while you can.

If you fail to remember this, unhappiness will consume you.

You’ll chase feelings, not virtue.

You’ll seek happiness and lose both it and yourself.

Because happiness was never the goal. It’s just a feeling

Virtue was.

And virtue leads not to comfort. But to eudaimonia:

The quiet power of a mind at peace with itself.

That’s the goal.

But to reach it, you must take the final step—the one that terrifies most people:

Know yourself.

Once you do that, something changes.

And you’re now at a crossroads—exactly as Hercules was—faced with a choice:

Will you choose what’s honorable or what’s pleasurable?

Hopefully, you’ll stop asking for an easier life and start choosing a nobler one.

And in that moment, you understand:

Problems never stop.

But neither do you.

…

If you liked it, reply

This will help me improve.

See you next week, friend, for the next topic!
Ioannis Sintoris or Said the Stoic

PS. Did you have any “aha” moments while reading this?

Reply to this email and let me know.