Socrates and the Plague of Athens (by Donald J. Robertson)

I've been thinking a lot about Socrates and his life in the plague(s) of Athens, and apparently Donald J. Robertson, the popular promoter of Stoicism, has been thinking along similar lines, since he has written an article:

Socrates and the Plague of Athens

Check it out!

May 6th Reading from The Daily Stoic (Round 2) - Righteousness Is Beautiful

"Then what makes an excellent human being? Isn't it the presence of human excellence? Young friend, if you wish to be beautiful, then work diligently at human excellence. And what is that? Observe those whom you praise without prejudice. The just or the unjust? The just. The even-tempered or the undisciplined? The even-tempered. The self-controlled or the uncontrolled? The self-controlled. In making yourself that kind of person, you will become beautiful - but to the extent you ignore these qualities, you'll be ugly, even if you use every trick in the book to appear beautiful."

~ Epictetus, Discourses, 3.1.6b-9

May 5th Reading from The Daily Stoic (Round 2) - You Are The Project

"The raw materials for the work if a good and excellent person is their own guiding reason, the body is that of the doctor and the physical trainer, and the farm the farmer's."

~ Epictetus, Discourses, 3.3.1

May 4th Reading from The Daily Stoic (Round 2) - What's Truly Impressive

"How much better is it to be known for doing well by many than for living extravagantly? How much more worthy than spending on sticks and stones is it to spend on people?"

~ Musonius Rufus, Lectures, 19.91.26-28

May 3rd Reading from The Daily Stoic (Round 2) - Show, Not Tell, What You Know

"Those who receive the bare theories immediately want to spew them, as an upset stomach does its food. First digest your theories and you won't throw them up. Otherwise they will be raw, spoiled, and not nourishing. After you've digested them, show us the changes in your reasoned choices, just like the shoulders of gymnasts display their diet and training, and as the craft of artisans show in what they've learned."

~ Epictetus, Discourses, 3.21.1-3

May 2nd Reading from The Daily Stoic (Round 2) - Be The Person You Want To Be

"First tell yourself what kind of person you want to be, then do what you have to do. For in nearly every pursuit we see this to be the case. Those in athletic pursuit first choose the sport they want, and then do that work."

~ Epictetus, Discourses, 3.23.1-2a

May 1st Reading from The Daily Stoic (Round 2) - Make Character Your Loudest Statement

"For philosophy doesn't consist in outward display, but in taking heed to what is needed and being mindful of it."

~ Musonius Rufus, Lectures, 16.75.15-16