In this episode I tackle a question that every practicing Stoic has probably wrestled with: can we ever take a day off from Stoicism? If the pursuit of virtue is supposed to shape every moment of our lives, does that mean we must always be vigilant, never resting? I explore what the ancient texts say, how the ancients themselves surely stumbled, and why purposeful rest isn’t a betrayal of Stoic practice but part of sustaining it.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— While Epictetus and Marcus urge vigilance, they also admit we’ll falter — and the key is always to return to the path.
— Rest is not an escape from virtue but a way of preserving our rational faculty so we can act justly, wisely, and with courage.
— Burnout undermines Stoic practice; deliberate rest strengthens it.
— The ancients weren’t sages, and neither are we — taking breaks is part of the human condition and consistent with Stoic growth.
— If you nap beside the Stoic path, the path will still be there in the morning.
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
