Virtue was the highest good for Stoics from "summary" of Stoicism by John Sellars
The Stoics believed that the highest good in life was virtue. This meant that the most important thing a person could strive for was to live a virtuous life, regardless of any external circumstances or goals. According to Stoic philosophy, virtue was the key to living a good and fulfilling life, as it was the only thing that was truly under a person's control. For the Stoics, virtue was not just about following a set of rules or guidelines. Instead, it was a way of life that required constant practice and dedication. Living virtuously meant cultivating qualities such as wisdom, courage, justice, and self-control in all aspects of one's life. It meant acting with integrity, kindness, and compassion towards oneself and others, even in the face of adversity.
The Stoics believed that by focusing on developing virtue, a person could achieve a state of inner peace and tranquility, known as ataraxia. This state of mind was not dependent on external circumstances, such as wealth, health, or social status, but on the individual's own character and choices. By cultivating virtue, a person could learn to navigate the ups and downs of life with equanimity and resilience.
In contrast to other philosophical schools, the Stoics did not see pleasure, wealth, or fame as the highest goals in life. They believed that these external goods were ultimately fleeting and unreliable sources of happiness. Instead, they emphasized the importance of cultivating inner qualities that were within a person's control, such as wisdom and moral character.The Stoics believed that by prioritizing virtue above all else, a person could live a truly fulfilling and meaningful life. By aligning one's actions and choices with what was morally right, a person could achieve a sense of purpose and contentment that transcended external circumstances. In this way, virtue was not just a means to an end, but the ultimate goal in itself.
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