The Four Virtues: A New Definition of Strength
How they still shape the way we show up—in work, in love, and in the world.
The Stillness & Strength Series
Wisdom. Courage. Justice. Temperance.
Not just words—but an inner compass for a life well-lived.
When we think of strength, we tend to think of force—willpower, dominance, the ability to push through. But the Stoics saw strength differently. They believed real strength wasn’t about force at all. It was about virtue.
Not virtue in a preachy or pious sense. But in the original Greek sense—arete—the excellence of character that allows something (or someone) to fulfill its nature.
For a human being, that means living in alignment with our higher nature: with reason, integrity, and purpose.
And they believed that all virtue—all human goodness—could be distilled into four core qualities. Together, these formed a compass. Not a map, but a way of navigating.
Let’s walk through them.
Wisdom
“You must become wise, not merely learned.” — Epictetus
Wisdom is the ability to see clearly. To discern truth from illusion. To know what really matters.
It’s not about accumulating knowledge. It’s about applying insight—especially in complexity or uncertainty.
In modern life:
Wisdom helps us know when to speak… and when to stay silent.
It helps us separate our ego from our judgment.
It keeps us from overreacting to the headlines, the metrics, the mood of the moment.
We admire people who seem to “see the bigger picture.” That’s wisdom in action.
Ask yourself:
Am I reacting, or am I reflecting?
Am I seeing clearly—or seeing what I want to see?
Courage
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” — Seneca
Courage is the virtue that lets you do the right thing—even when it’s uncomfortable, uncertain, or unpopular.
It’s not the absence of fear. It’s the decision to move forward despite it.
In modern life:
Courage is having the hard conversation.
It’s admitting you were wrong.
It’s leaving a role that no longer fits or stepping into one that scares you.
It’s what allows wisdom to become action. Without courage, insight remains dormant.
Ask yourself:
What truth am I avoiding?
What would I do if I were just 10% braver?
Justice
“What is not good for the hive is not good for the bee.” — Marcus Aurelius
Justice isn’t just about courts or laws. It’s about fairness. Responsibility. Doing right by others.
To the Stoics, we are all part of a greater whole. And a virtuous life is one that upholds that whole—not just the self.
In modern life:
Justice is treating people with dignity, even when it’s inconvenient.
It’s mentoring when you could compete.
It’s creating systems that don’t just benefit the strong.
This virtue challenges the hyper-individualism of today. It reminds us that freedom and duty are not opposites—they’re partners.
Ask yourself:
Whose needs am I overlooking?
What does the world need from me right now?
Temperance
“No man is free who is not master of himself.” — Epictetus
Temperance is self-control. Balance. The ability to say no—when everything around you says yes.
It’s not about deprivation. It’s about discipline with direction. Knowing how much is enough. And not letting pleasure become prison.
In modern life:
Temperance is stepping away from the screen to reclaim your mind.
It’s choosing rest when hustle is glamorized.
It’s resisting the compulsion to chase every opportunity—or check every notification.
In a culture of excess, temperance is radical. It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you’re enough.
Ask yourself:
Where am I overconsuming?
Where might less lead to more?
Virtue as Strength
These four virtues aren’t commandments. They’re coordinates.
They don’t tell you exactly what to do in every situation. But they help you know who you want to be—especially when the path gets unclear.
And here’s the truth: We don’t master these virtues once. We practice them—daily, imperfectly, earnestly.
That’s the Stoic life.
Stillness Practice
Take a few quiet moments to reflect:
Which of the four virtues comes most naturally to you right now?
Which one feels underdeveloped or neglected?
Where in your life are you being invited to practice that virtue—today?
Write it down. Sit with it. And tomorrow, live it—just a little more.
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
A Personal Virtue Inventory
Objective: To reflect on how the Four Stoic Virtues are showing up—or not showing up—in your life, and to identify one intentional practice to embody them more fully.
Step 1: Be Still
Find a space of quiet. No notifications. No to-do list. Just you, your breath, and your attention. Sit for a few moments and bring to mind this question:
“What does it mean to be strong—not outwardly, but inwardly?”
Let that guide your focus.
Step 2: Inventory the Four Virtues
Use the prompts below to reflect on each virtue.
Wisdom
When was the last time I paused before reacting?
Where am I confusing intelligence with clarity?
Courage
What conversation, decision, or action have I been putting off?
Where am I playing it safe when I’m being called to grow?
Justice
Whose voice or needs am I ignoring?
How am I showing up in service of something larger than myself?
Temperance
What in my life feels excessive right now?
Where could I practice more intentional restraint?
Write down your answers. Be honest. No judgment—just awareness.
Step 3: Identify Your Virtue in Focus
Of the four, which virtue:
Feels most natural to you today?
Feels most underdeveloped—or forgotten?
Circle the one you need to lean into right now. This is your Virtue in Focus for the week ahead.
Step 4: Choose a Practice
Now, craft a single action or mindset shift you will take to embody that virtue more fully this week.
“I will practice [virtue] by…”
Example: “I will practice courage by having the honest conversation I’ve been avoiding.”
Let this be small, doable, and personal.
Final Reflection
The goal is not perfection. It’s presence. To live with virtue is to align your character with your choices—again and again.
That’s where real strength lives. Not in how loudly you speak, but in how clearly you live.
Next: Control and the Self: The Stoic Divide—where we’ll explore the single most liberating idea in Stoicism.
— Bill