Decision-Making the Stoic Way: 20 Quotes for Better Choices

Decision-Making the Stoic Way: 20 Quotes for Better Choices

Ever feel like your decisions are less like carefully considered choices and more like a frantic squirrel trying to bury a nut in a hurricane? Yeah, me too. Most of us are terrible at making decisions, bouncing around between our impulses, fears, and endless anxiety, like we're playing some sadistic game of emotional pinball. It's exhausting, right? We all crave that feeling of calm control, but it seems to slip through our fingers every time we're faced with a choice.

But what if there was a better way, a way to navigate the chaos of life with clarity and calm? Turns out, there is. And it’s ancient. It's a philosophy called Stoicism, and it's been helping people make better decisions for thousands of years. But before we get to the wisdom, we need to understand what makes decision-making so goddamn hard, and why your brain, in particular, isn’t really doing you any favors.

The truth is, your brain is a terrible decision-making machine, and here’s why: First, your brain is wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s how we’ve survived for millennia, but it makes us prone to impulsive choices that aren't always in our best interests. Second, we’re constantly bombarded with information, opinions, and endless distractions. This leads to overwhelm and "decision fatigue," which makes our brain shut down and rely on its most primal instincts (like “eat that cake”). Third, we tend to be driven by our emotions, which means that logical reasoning goes out the window when our feelings take over. We just react to what we feel, not what we know.

The thing is, these aren't just "you" problems – these are human problems, but we can train ourselves to act better when these problems arise. But here’s where it gets interesting: those Stoic philosophers weren’t just making stuff up, they were onto something profound. And here’s why…

The Stoic Mindset: What You Can & Can't Control

The core of Stoic thought is the distinction between what we can control and what we cannot. You might think you already know this, but here’s what most people miss: they focus entirely on what they can’t control, and thereby create a self-fulfilling prophecy that they can’t make good decisions. The Stoics understood that our power lies in our choices, not in external events. You might be thinking, "Yeah yeah, I get it," but the truth is, and brace yourself, we get it wrong all the time.

The Stoics believed that we suffer not from events themselves, but from our judgments about them. But what the hell does that even mean? Let me explain. You can’t control the fact that your boss is a narcissistic asshole, but you can control how you choose to react to it. You might be thinking, "Sure, that's easy for you to say," but stick with me.

There's this fascinating psychological study where participants were asked to rate their stress levels after reading a list of stressors (death, taxes, etc.). The thing is, the people who said they were very stressed had one thing in common: they interpreted their reactions to the event as a threat, and not a challenge. And guess what? If you see every difficulty as a threat, you’ll always be in a state of stress, anxiety, and reaction. You see, you can't control the things that happen to you, but you can always control how you react to those things. That is where true power lies.

But that’s just one half of the equation. The other half is what you can control. This includes your thoughts, your judgments, and your actions. And this is where you begin building better habits. So, now that we know why we suck at making decisions, what's the solution? Well, that's where the Stoic quotes come in. But before we get to them, let's make sure we understand what is and what isn't in our control, and why that’s important.

20 Stoic Quotes for Better Choices

Okay, let's get to the good stuff. I've curated 20 Stoic quotes that can help you make better decisions by embracing logic and wisdom over impulsive reactions. Each quote can help you navigate your choices with more clarity and control. You might think this is just a list, but it's more than that - it's a map for navigating the chaos of life. So, buckle up, because your choices are about to level up.

1. “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

   
   

   – Marcus Aurelius

Here's why this matters: It's a constant reminder that your thoughts are the only thing fully under your control. This means that you can choose your reactions, and that means you can choose a better path.

2. "It is not things themselves that disturb men, but their judgments about these things."

   
   

   – Epictetus

Let me explain: It’s not the event that causes you distress, but how you interpret that event. Shift your judgments, and you can shift your entire experience.

3. "We suffer more often in imagination than in reality."

   
   

   – Seneca

This is where it gets interesting: Most of our anxiety comes from imagining worst-case scenarios that will probably never happen. Stay grounded in the present, and your mind will thank you.

4. "How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?"

   
   

   – Epictetus

You might be wondering: What are you waiting for to make a change? Stop waiting for the perfect moment; you'll be waiting forever.

5. "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."

   
   

   – Marcus Aurelius

But first, consider this: Obstacles aren't roadblocks, they’re just part of the path. Challenges are the training grounds for resilience.

6. “Choose not to be harmed—and you won't feel harmed. Don't feel harmed—and you haven't been.”

   
   

   – Marcus Aurelius

Here’s why this matters: Your emotions are your responsibility, not anyone else’s. Choose not to give your power away, and you become invincible.

7. "The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control."

   
   

   – Epictetus

Let me explain: Identify what you can and can't control. It is that simple, it's just that most people refuse to do it.

8. “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

   
   

   – Epictetus

This is where it gets really interesting: This quote is everywhere, and it is the core of stoicism. You must learn to use it.

9. “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”

   
   

   – Marcus Aurelius

But first... let’s understand this: Your power to change your emotional state is always in the present. You can decide to change. Right now.

10. “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”

    
    

    – Friedrich Nietzsche (influenced by Stoicism)

You might be wondering: What's your "why"? What values are driving your choices? If you don't know, your decisions will be as erratic as the wind.

11. “Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.”

    
    

    – Seneca

Here's why this matters: Stop postponing life. Every day is a chance to start again.

12. “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”

    
    

    – Epictetus

Let me explain: Consumerism is a trap. Want less, appreciate more.

13. “It is impossible to begin to learn what one thinks one already knows.”

    
    

    – Epictetus

This is where it gets interesting: Are you listening, or just waiting for your turn to speak? You have to be open to changing your mind.

14. “You must give yourself to me first, if you desire to be of any service to me.”

    
    

    - Epictetus

But first... consider this: Put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. If you're not in good shape, you can’t do anything for anyone else.

15. “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”

    
    

    – Unknown (Stoic-inspired)

You might be thinking: Stop resisting the present. It's the only place where you actually live.

16. “If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit.”

    
    

    - Epictetus

Here’s why this matters: Your habits dictate who you are. They form both your actions, and your reactions. Pay attention to them.

17. "No person has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have."

    
    

    - Seneca

Let me explain: Desires can be your greatest weakness. Learn to be content without every desire fulfilled.

18. Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

    
    

    - Seneca

This is where it gets really interesting: Every challenge provides a chance to create something new.

19. “Don't seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will—then your life will flow well.”

    
    

    - Epictetus

You might be wondering: Are you fighting reality, or flowing with it? Fighting reality leads to endless suffering, and learning to flow with what is leads to inner peace.

20. “The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.”

    
    

    - Marcus Aurelius

But first, reflect on this: Don't let others dictate who you are. You decide who you will be.

Applying Stoicism to Everyday Choices

These aren't just pretty words for posters. They’re guides for how to make better decisions every single day. And you can start right now. You might be thinking, “Okay that’s fine and all, but what do I actually do with this information?” Glad you asked.

The key is not just to read these quotes, but to apply them. When faced with a decision, pause, breathe, and ask yourself:

1. What’s in my control? (Your thoughts, actions, and judgments.)

2. What’s outside my control? (Other people’s actions, external events.)

3. What’s my goal? (Align your choices with your values.)

4. Am I reacting emotionally, or rationally? (Pause and choose a better way)

5. What is the most virtuous action? (Am I being kind, courageous, and just?)

This isn't about being emotionless robots. It's about using reason to guide your emotions, rather than being controlled by them. It’s about choosing to act from a place of intentional thought, not knee-jerk reactions. That’s how you make good decisions.

From Chaos to Calm

The Stoics weren’t superhuman beings, they were just people who learned to master their own minds and their own choices. So, what if you could too? The journey to better decision-making starts with a single step. And you've already taken the first step by reading this article. This isn't about perfection, it’s about progress. It's about taking control of the chaos and choosing to live intentionally.

You're not a victim of your impulses. You're an agent of your own life. Your choices matter, so make them wisely. And when life throws a wrench in your plans? Embrace it, learn from it, and make your next choice even better.