The Stoic Archer – Choosing the Right Target and Letting Go

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism.

What can a simple bow and arrow teach us about the art of living? In this episode of the Via Stoica Podcast, Benny explores the timeless Stoic Archer analogy—how to choose the right target in life, how to aim with reason, and how to release with trust.

Drawing from Cicero’s On the Chief Good and Evil, Benny traces the earliest mention of the Stoic Archer and explains how it connects to the Stoic goal (telos) of virtue—living in accordance with nature. He then links the archer’s steps to Stoic practice: setting the right aim (virtue), making deliberate choices (reason), releasing the arrow (action), and accepting the outcome (Amor Fati).

Through vivid reflections, Benny maps the metaphor onto daily life:

• The bow as Logos—nature’s rational order.

• The string as Oikeiōsis—our connection and responsibility to the world.

• The arrow as moral action—our effort in motion.

• The wind and terrain as Fortune—the forces we must accept.

You’ll learn how this analogy deepens the Stoic dichotomy of control, turning it into a guide for deliberate, present-moment living. Benny also offers practical advice on how to train like an archer: practicing awareness, learning from each “miss,” and remembering that growth is a lifelong path, not a single shot.

If you’ve ever wondered how to align your aim with what truly matters, this episode will help you find your target, draw your bow with intention, and let go with peace.

🎯 Listen to the full episode now and walk the Via Stoica—the Stoic path toward virtue and freedom. Or read the article here: https://viastoica.com/the-stoic-archer/

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