Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism

Read these multiple excerpts provided by Hachette Books

Discover the core texts of Stoic philosophy with an introduction by Massimo Pigliucci, author of How To Be A Stoic. Special thanks to Hachette Books.

Explore the wisdom that has inspired leaders, from kings to entrepreneurs, for centuries. Dive into the foundational writings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus in one essential volume, including Meditations, Letters from a Stoic, and Enchiridion. These timeless texts offer clear, transformative guidance, as relevant today as they were millennia ago. Stoic Foundations is a must-read for anyone interested in modern Stoicism and the original words of Stoic luminaries.

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Stoic Foundations 

THE CORNERSTONE WORKS OF STOICISM 

BY MARCUS AURELIUS, SENECA, AND EPICTETUS 

Translated by C. R. Haines, Richard Mott Gummere,  

and William Abbott Oldfather 

Introduction by Massimo Pigliucci 

Meditations 

MARCUS AURELIUS 

Translated by C. R. Haines 

BOOK V 

At daybreak, when loath to rise, have this thought ready in your mind: I am rising for a man’s work. Am I then still peevish that I am going to do that for which I was born and for the sake of which I came into the world? Or was I made for this, that I should nuzzle under the bed-clothes and keep myself warm? But this is pleasanter. Have you been made then for pleasure? In a word, I ask you, to be acted upon or to act? Consider each tiny plant, each little bird, the ant, the spider, the bee, how they go about their own work and do each his part for the building up of an orderly Universe. Do you then refuse to do the work of a man? Do you not hasten to do what Nature bids you. But some rest, too, is necessary. I do not deny it. However, Nature has set limits to this, and no less so to eating and drinking. Yet you exceed these limits and exceed sufficiency. But in acts, it is no longer so; there you come short of the possibility.