
Stoic Coffee Break
105 - Bring Pain to Your Enemy
Apr 23, 2018
Explore how Stoicism promotes self-improvement instead of seeking revenge, using criticism as a motivation for personal growth. Imagine if political leaders focused on becoming better people rather than tearing down opponents with rhetoric.
03:31
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Quick takeaways
- Focus on personal growth to counter criticism and negativity rather than seeking revenge.
- Redirect energy from tearing down adversaries to uplifting oneself for personal development and societal improvement.
Deep dives
Focus on Self-Improvement Over Revenge
The episode discusses the Stoic principle of focusing on self-improvement instead of seeking revenge. Epictetus recommends that individuals should strive to live the best life they can rather than seeking to give pain to their enemies. Rather than retaliating or belittling those who criticize or harm us, the episode suggests responding by working on personal growth. Examples provided include being more generous when labeled as greedy, practicing humility when accused of arrogance, and demonstrating patience when perceived as short-tempered. By focusing on self-improvement, individuals not only better themselves but also diminish the impact of others' negative opinions.
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