Previous Stoicism

FUELING THE HABIT BONFIRE

“Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running . . . therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it, if you don’t want to do that, don’t, but make a habit of something else instead. The same principle is at work in our state of mind. When you get angry, you’ve not only experienced that evil, but you’ve also reinforced a bad habit, adding fuel to the fire.”

- EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES

Summary:
Epictetus emphasises that habits and skills grow through repeated actions. If you want to develop a certain behaviour, make it a regular habit; if not, replace it with something else. Similarly, emotions like anger, when indulged, not only cause harm in the moment but also strengthen the habit of reacting angrily, making it more likely to occur in the future.

Interpretation:
In practical terms, this quote teaches us that our daily actions and reactions form the habits that shape our lives. For instance, if you constantly react with frustration in stressful situations, you are reinforcing a habit of anger. Over time, this becomes a default response. The solution lies in recognising these patterns and intentionally replacing them with positive habits. By practicing patience, calm, or gratitude in place of frustration, we gradually rewire our behaviour and cultivate a more peaceful mindset. Thus, we can “fuel” the habit bonfire of the behaviours we want to develop, creating lasting change in how we respond to the world.

 

visit our website
Instagram Tiktok

All Stoicisms

DOING THE RIGHT THING IS ENOUGH

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that doing good should be its own reward. Once your action has helped someone, there’s no need....

A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS

Epictetus cautions that powerful abilities—whether intellectual, emotional, or social—can be risky when used without wisdom. Like any force, they must be....

A LEADER LEADS

Marcus Aurelius describes three kinds of people who do good: one who expects gratitude, one who silently keeps score, and the....
Scroll to Top