Stoicism has been defined as an ancient philosophy that teaches us to live our life by living in the present moment. It also helps us cope with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the best stoicism affirmations that’ll help you improve your life and teach you how to apply the, to your daily life.
Related: Exploring Your Inner Landscape
Table of Contents
Have you ever heard of this quote by Mahatma Gandhi?
“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
I am sure you have heard of it, and before I tell you why I am talking about it, let me give you one more example, which is as follows:
Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habit. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny.
This flow of events comes from the above-mentioned quote by Mahatma Gandhi. And to accept this progression is to accept that you have control. Control over the type of person you are and the type of life you live. It all after all starts with a small, conscious effort.
We as individuals take time to form our beliefs based on what we learn and know of the world. We consciously think about and mentally rehearse those beliefs regularly. With clear words, we plan actions from those beliefs. Consistent actions from habits. And if we are what we repeatedly do, then our habits reveal our values which ultimately shape our behavior and contribute to our destiny.
Again, the beginnings aren’t always big. Nor are the changes instant. But with continuous practice and patience, you can change your thoughts and thereby, change your life.
“Your mind will be like its habitual thoughts; for the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”
– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.16
You might also like to read: 12 powerful stoic affirmations
How to practice stoicism?
But this all sounds great in theory, and as a result, we often wonder how we put it into practice daily.
Well, one way is to do your mental rehearsals first thing in the morning. Cement your values and beliefs by reminding yourself what you stand for in life. Say them out loud. Allow your mind to automatically absorb and repeat them.
Here are a few stoicism affirmations you can use to set up a stoic day, and as they become habitual, set up a stoic life.
1) Misfortunes are an inherent and inevitable part of life. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to accept them quietly and peacefully.
2) Wise people can completely suspend their desire and turn their aversion solely toward what is under their full control. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behavior on them.
3) Virtuous people accept and perform without any protest the role that Universal Nature has assigned them. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to do the same.
4) Whatever happens to me is necessary for the fulfilment of my higher destiny. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to welcome every event that Fate sends me with serenity and gratitude.
5) Wisdom means aligning one’s will with that of Universal Nature. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always behave wisely.
6) Everything that happens is thought by Universal Nature to benefit the whole of which I am a part. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to complain if something negative happens to me.
7) God has equipped me with inner resources that can enable me to endure any adversity. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to honor and cultivate them fully.
8) Truly virtuous people are revealed in difficult times. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to view any adversity simply as an opportunity to test and further develop my virtue.
9) Wise people cheerfully embrace whatever Fate sends their way. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
10) God assigns the most difficult challenges to those for whom it has high hopes. Therefore, aware of this, I thank it deeply for every adversity past, present and future.
11) Luck is like a pendulum that constantly swings back and forth. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to despair when amid unfavorable circumstances.
12) Nothing prevents something bad that happened to another person from happening to me. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to work daily to strengthen my body, mind, and spirit.
13) Every habit is strengthened by repetition. Therefore, aware of this, I recognize that giving in to anger is not a temporary setback but another dangerous step toward vice.
14) Most people perform vicious actions because they are confused about what is really “good” and “evil”. Therefore, aware of this, and instead of getting angry, I promise to educate them with kindness.
15) It is not possible to argue or fight alone. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to give in to any provocation and to respond to any insult calmly and rationally.
16) Forgiving someone who makes a mistake is a uniquely human trait. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to fully honor this higher quality of my nature.
17) As a human being, I am not a wild beast but a rational creature. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to abandon any desire for revenge and to respond to any wrong in a civilized manner.
18) We humans are all brothers and sisters. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always be as tolerant and compassionate as possible toward others.
19) Anxiety is the natural result of giving too much importance to externals outside of one’s control. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to become emotionally attached to these things.
20) The only effective cure for anxiety is the constant study and practice of philosophy. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to devote a good part of my life to this end.
21) Anxiety stems from one’s way of observing and interpreting reality. Therefore, aware of this, I recognize that I can end it at will.
22) Pursuing pleasure as if it were “good” and fleeing pain as if it were “evil” inevitably leads to living overwhelmed by anxiety. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to judge these things simply as “neutral”.
23) As a human being, I have full control over my mind and thoughts. Therefore, aware of this, I recognize that nothing can stop me from getting rid of anxiety.
24) A mind that does not worry about the future and is focused on the present cannot experience anxiety. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to work on my mindfulness.
25) We humans were designed by Nature to live in harmony with each other. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to behave in the most cooperative and friendly way possible with everyone.
26) Human beings are rational and social beings. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always live following my nature.
27) True revenge consists of not responding to vice with vice. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to respond to any wrong with virtue.
28) The human soul degrades itself when it says something false. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always tell the truth.
29) The human soul degrades itself when it betrays the trust of another person. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always be loyal.
30) The human soul degrades itself when it turns its back on another person. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always help those in need.
31) The human soul degrades itself when it does injustice. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always act in the name of justice.
32) The human soul degrades itself when it intentionally harms another person. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to eradicate any hostile intention from my mind.
33) Fame, money, power, etcetera, are empty things. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to let my behaviour be influenced by them.
34) Wise people are morally incorruptible. They cannot be bought at any price. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
35) As a human being, nothing can prevent me from developing a character of integrity and virtue. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to honor this power of mine fully.
36) Wise people are those who value the health of their souls more than the health of their bodies. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
37) The more one values things outside of one’s control, the less control one has. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to value the only thing under my full control: namely, the proper use of my mind.
38) As a human being, I do not have control over external events. The only thing I can control is my responses to them. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to judge every external event as “neutral” and to assign the labels of “good” and “evil” only to my decisions and actions.
39) Unwise people are weak and always seek help from others. Wise people are strong and seek help from themselves. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on the latter.
40) Unwise people are weak and always blame others. Wise people are strong and look for blame in themselves. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on the latter.
41) As a human being, the only thing Nature has made me responsible for is the proper use of the mind and its faculties. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to stop tormenting my soul by taking responsibility for external things outside of my control.
42) The gods have made me strong enough to bravely endure all that is beyond my control and responsible only for that which is under my full control. Therefore, aware of this, I thank them deeply.
43) I cannot escape death. The only thing I can do is eradicate my fear of it. Therefore, aware of this, instead of foolishly trying to run away from it, I promise to work on its serene acceptance.
44) Death is nothing more than the event that marks the separation of body and soul. Therefore, aware of this, I recognize that I have no reason to fear it.
45) My time on this Earth is limited. I do not have infinite years ahead of me. Death could come at any moment. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to use the little time I have left to put myself at the service of the Universe and elevate my spirit.
46) Wise people find joy in living but at the same time are not reluctant to die. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
47) Death is a natural process necessary for the Universe to continue to evolve. Therefore, aware of this, I recognize that it is not an evil thing.
48) Life is like a play: what matters is not its length, but its quality. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to apply the same criterion of evaluation to my own life.
49) As a human being, I am born to remain indifferent to external events and act with virtue. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always live following my human nature.
50) We humans were created to work and create, not to laze around and indulge in pleasure. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to do what my human nature requires me to do without protest.
51) Virtuous people stick to the mission that God has assigned them as if it were an inviolable law. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
52) As a human being, I must follow the natural laws written by God. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to abide by any arbitrary human law that requires me to go against the divine ones.
53) As a rational and conscious creature, I have the duty of assisting Universal Nature in the realization of its divine evolutionary plan. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to do my best to fulfil this duty of mine.
54) There is nothing more important than accepting what Fate sends and obeying the orders imparted by one’s spirit. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to live keeping this “commandment” always in mind.
55) For those who follow Fate, life is simple and full of joy. For those who resist Fate, life is complicated and full of pain. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always move in harmony with Fate.
56) Whoever undertakes a project without God’s approval is doomed to fail and suffer. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to embark on any venture without first having the approval of my spirit.
57) Virtuous people perform willingly and cheerfully whatever mission Universal Nature assigns them. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
58) Every single event is the right one to fulfil both my destiny and that of the Universe as a whole. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to accept serenely even all those events that my mind usually labels as “negative”.
59) Noble spirits are recognizable by their unconditional acceptance of reality, and degenerate spirits by their unconditional rejection of reality. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on the former.
60) As a rational and conscious creature, I have the duty of trying to interpret the divine design of Providence to align my actions with it. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to do my best to fulfil this duty of mine.
61) Freedom is not achieved by satisfying desire but by eliminating it. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to work on minimizing my desires.
62) No one can force me to think, say, or do something that my spirit does not approve of. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to honor this power of mine fully.
63) Wise people know that true freedom consists in doing what God commands and in accepting what God sends. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
64) As a human being, I am part of Nature and nothing can stop me from acting in harmony with it. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always pursue virtue and avoid vice.
65) Bodily impulses are the main obstacle to the virtuous exercise of free will. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to work daily on my self-discipline.
66) As a human being, Universal Nature has given me the greatest gift of all: free will. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to use it wisely.
67) Those who are properly grounded in life do not feel the need to seek approval outside of themselves. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
68) If something is “right”, it remains so regardless of popular opinion. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to hold back from saying and doing the “right things” just because they are not approved by the crowd.
69) Wise people are indifferent to both compliments and insults. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
70) In most cases, following the crowd leads to stupid and vicious actions. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always make my decisions freely and independently.
71) The unwise crowd tends to assign the highest value to things like wealth, power, social status, and so on. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to do the opposite.
72) True philosophers do not feel obliged to respect the popular opinion about what is “good & evil” and “right & wrong”. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
73) Happiness comes from within and is completely independent of external circumstances. Therefore, aware of this, I promise never to blame any external circumstance as the source of my unhappiness.
74) By human nature, it is not possible to achieve happiness by leading a selfish and vicious life. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to do my best to live a selfless and virtuous life.
75) True happiness comes from living a harmonious life. Power and wealth have nothing to do with it. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to be envious of people who possess these things.
76) True happiness is a by-product of wisdom. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to devote my life to pursuing the latter.
77) A mind whose thoughts are obsessively directed toward the past or the future cannot be happy. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always keep my focus on the present moment.
78) Giving importance to other people’s judgment is one of the main sources of unhappiness. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to train my mind so that it becomes independent and seeks approval only from itself.
79) Rage is a weakness. True strength consists of calmness and serenity. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to train myself to make my mind as impassive as possible.
80) By its very nature, the human mind is capable of enduring anything. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to honor this power of mine fully.
81) True strength is peace of mind that cannot be disturbed by anything or anyone. Therefore, aware of this, instead of trying to impose my will on the outside world, I promise to work on improving my ability to accept what happens.
82) Unwise people try to conquer the outside world. Wise people try to conquer themselves. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on the latter.
83) Nothing that happens can hurt me unless I interpret its happening as harmful to me. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always keep this principle in mind.
84) The human mind knows no needs except those it creates for itself. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to work to regulate the desires produced by my mind.
85) The Universe in which we live is made up of opposites in harmony with each other. Therefore, aware of this, I recognize that there is no point in complaining about the “negative” aspects of reality.
86) The world is what it is. No amount of complaining will ever change its nature. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to accept and embrace it serenely.
87) The Logos that governs the universe knows no evil and always has the good of the whole at heart. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to place my complete trust in its decisions.
88) The world is nothing but change. All is transitory. Nothing is forever. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to work on my mental flexibility and adaptability.
89) Behind the entire Universe lies one soul and one purpose. Everything that exists is interconnected. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to do my best to live in harmony with the whole I am a part of.
90) As a human being, I am a child of Nature. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always respect its laws and orders.
91) Mental suffering is the result of an incorrect interpretation of reality. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always check my judgments and correct them when necessary.
92) Trying to run away from pain is a vicious act, for it means not living in harmony with the nature of things. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to courageously face any “pain” that Fate sends my way.
93) Divine nature is completely indifferent to pain. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on it.
94) Nothing is painful when taken lightly. Therefore, aware of this, I promise not to create drama out of thin air.
95) Giving in to mental suffering is blasphemy, for it means rejecting what has been decreed by God. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to restrain myself from falling into this kind of error.
96) Pain is an intrinsic part of life. Therefore, aware of this, I recognize that there is no point in fearing something from which there is no escape.
97) Divine nature is completely indifferent to pleasure. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on it.
98) Overindulging in pleasure is blasphemy, for it means degrading the rational soul that God has given me. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to approach any pleasure with rationality and moderation.
99) Trying to pursue pleasure is a vicious act, for it means not living in harmony with human nature. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to restrain myself from falling into this kind of error.
100) The human mind can tame any impulse generated by the body. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to fully honour this power of mine.
101) Anything taken to the excess becomes a vice. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to indulge in material pleasures just enough to keep my body strong and healthy.
102) In the long run, resisting the temptation of pleasure brings far more satisfaction than indulging in it. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always think twice before impulsively giving in to pleasure.
103) Spiritual progress does not happen overnight. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to be patient and not too hard on myself.
104) The first step toward spiritual progress is to get rid of all the false beliefs that confuse one’s mind. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to question any belief that I have so far blindly believed to be true.
105) As a human being, nothing can stop me from changing those character traits that lead me to say or do vicious things. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to fully honour this power of mine.
106) Wise people to avoid vice constantly keep an eye on themselves as if they were their enemy lying in ambush. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to model my behaviour on them.
107) Hanging out with virtuous people leads to becoming virtuous, hanging out with vicious people leads to becoming vicious. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to carefully select the people I socialize with.
108) Studying philosophy books is not enough. Virtue can only be cultivated through unremitting practice. Therefore, aware of this, I promise to always apply the philosophical principles I have learned in theory.
Conclusion
So, make a habit of saying these stoicism affirmations (or your own) to yourself in the morning. Colour your soul with your thoughts. Cement your values. Set up a stoic day after stoic day.
Fulfil your destiny of being a good person by practising these stoicism affirmations and living a good life while guiding others as well.
Also Read: Instructions for Body Scan Meditation