About Victory Manual

Inspiration

Victory Manual is inspired by The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. This site serves as a companion to their work, offering a curated collection of Stoic wisdom that can be accessed daily. Each meditation is designed to provide practical guidance rooted in ancient philosophy, helping readers apply timeless principles to modern life.

What is Stoic Philosophy?

Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy founded in Athens in the early 3rd century BC. At its core, Stoicism teaches that virtue (wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline) is the highest good, and that we should focus our energy on what we can control while accepting what we cannot.

The Stoics believed that by living in accordance with nature and reason, we can achieve tranquility and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Rather than seeking to eliminate emotions, Stoicism guides us to respond to them rationally and to distinguish between what is truly important and what is merely preferred or dispreferred.

This practical philosophy remains remarkably relevant today, offering tools for managing anxiety, building character, making ethical decisions, and finding meaning in an unpredictable world.

Major Stoic Philosophers

Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD)

Roman Emperor and Philosopher

Marcus Aurelius ruled as Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD and is known as the last of the "Five Good Emperors." Despite his immense power and responsibility, he remained committed to Stoic principles throughout his life. His personal writings, known as Meditations, were never intended for publication but served as a private journal of philosophical reflections. These meditations offer profound insights into living virtuously, accepting fate, and maintaining inner peace amid external chaos. Marcus Aurelius exemplifies the Stoic ideal of the philosopher-king.

Epictetus (c. 50–135 AD)

Slave Turned Philosopher

Born a slave in Phrygia (modern-day Turkey), Epictetus eventually gained his freedom and became one of the most influential Stoic teachers. He established a philosophical school in Nicopolis, where he taught that philosophy is not merely theoretical but a way of life. His teachings, recorded by his student Arrian in Discourses and Selected Writings and The Enchiridion, emphasize the fundamental Stoic distinction between what is within our control (our judgments, desires, and actions) and what is not (everything external). Epictetus taught that freedom comes from focusing only on what we control and accepting everything else with equanimity.

Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC–65 AD)

Statesman, Dramatist, and Philosopher

Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and advisor to Emperor Nero. Despite his wealth and political power, Seneca remained deeply committed to Stoic philosophy, though his life was not without contradictions. His extensive writings include essays on topics such as anger, the shortness of life, tranquility, and providence, as well as his famous Letters from a Stoic, which offer practical moral guidance. Seneca's work is characterized by its accessibility and focus on applying philosophy to everyday challenges. He ultimately died by suicide on Nero's orders, facing death with the composure expected of a Stoic sage.

Zeno of Citium (c. 334–262 BC)

Founder of Stoicism

Zeno of Citium founded the Stoic school of philosophy around 300 BC in Athens. After surviving a shipwreck that destroyed his cargo, Zeno turned to philosophy and studied under various teachers before developing his own system of thought. He taught at the Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch) in the Agora of Athens, from which Stoicism derives its name. Zeno established the foundational principles of Stoic ethics, logic, and physics, teaching that virtue is the only true good and that living according to nature and reason leads to eudaimonia (flourishing). Though none of his writings survive, his ideas were preserved and developed by subsequent generations of Stoic philosophers.

Chrysippus (c. 279–206 BC)

The Second Founder

Chrysippus of Soli is often called the "second founder" of Stoicism because of his extensive work in developing and systematizing Stoic doctrine. He was extraordinarily prolific, reportedly writing over 700 works, though none survive intact. Chrysippus made crucial contributions to Stoic logic, physics, and ethics, defending the school against critics and refining its arguments. His work was so influential that it was said, "If there had been no Chrysippus, there would have been no Stoa." He strengthened the philosophical foundation that allowed Stoicism to endure and spread throughout the ancient world.

Learn More

To deepen your understanding of Stoic philosophy, we recommend exploring our recommended books, including: