THE PRACTICING STOIC

Stoicism is the most helpful and practical philosophy ever devised. Its intention is to help people find happiness by things differently about their lives and their problems. The advice the Stoics provided centuries ago is still the best anyone has offered, and it's as useful today as it was then - or more. When anyone today says something 'really wise, ' the Stoics usually said it first. Today the word "stoicism" is often used to mean suffering without complaint, but the true ideas, and ideals, of the Stoics are far more powerful and interesting. Stoicism means knowing the difference between what we can control and what we can't, and not worrying about the latter. The Stoics were masters of perspective, always taking the long view while remembering that life is short. And they were deep and insightful students of human nature, understanding how we manage to make ourselves miserable as well as how we seek and can find fulfillment.

Ward Farnsworth is Dean of the University of Texas School of Law.