Stoic Quote: Choose Not to Be Harmed: Marcus Aurelius on Emotional Freedom
Description
The Via Stoica Podcast: Stoic Quotes Series
In the Stoic Quotes series, we take a look at what the Stoics said and uncover the wisdom they left behind. We explore the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca, and more, to see how their lessons still guide us today.
In this episode, we reflect on a quote by Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 4, Number 7:
“Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed and you haven’t been.”
Marcus Aurelius reminds us that our sense of being “hurt” depends on our judgment, not the event itself. By removing the thought “I am hurt,” the pain itself disappears. This is a core Stoic idea about emotional freedom: that while we cannot control what others do or say, we can control our response to it.
In this episode, we explore how Stoics understood the process of emotion, from first impressions to assent, and how to apply this in daily life. You’ll learn how to pause before reacting, see events for what they are, and gradually weaken the thoughts that lead to anger or distress.
If you are looking for more Stoic quotes like this one, visit viastoica.com, where you’ll find hundreds of authentic Stoic sayings with full references to the original texts.
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