Seneca Was Right About This - Ancient Stoic Wisdom for Modern Times | The Everyday Stoic

In this episode, William dives into the timeless Stoic idea of having a “North Star”, a guiding principle that helps us stay grounded, even when life pulls us in a hundred directions. Seneca once warned that to value a person for their clothing or social status is foolish, and William reflects on how this wisdom feels even more urgent today, in a world obsessed with likes, followers, and luxury brands. Instead of chasing flames that burn us, the Stoics call us to live with virtue, courage, and character.

William shares how great figures like Steve Irwin, Fred Rogers, and even fictional heroes such as Aragorn can become models for us to emulate. By asking, “What would they do?” in moments of doubt, we slowly reshape our character, carve out new paths in the mind, and build the foundation of a stronger and better self. This practice of “virtue modeling” becomes part of our North Star, keeping us aligned with what truly matters.

Along the way, William discusses how to align our careers with our deeper values, drawing on astronaut Chris Hadfield’s advice about following natural interests. He also reminds us of Marcus Aurelius’ conviction that the noblest pursuit is not greatness, wealth, or fame, but simply the pursuit of being a good person. When we act with virtue, we create lives that are not only meaningful but also unshakable in the face of hardship and temptation.