Wisdom, Courage, Justice, & Temperance
Wednesday Wisdoms for June 4, 2025
Mind Candy is a newsletter on practical philosophy and human flourishment—aka how to live “the good life.” Each month we tackle a new theme.
This month we’re exploring the theme of Morality.
Welcome to Wednesday Wisdom, our 3x3 Newsletter where I distill worldly advice for better living with 3 quotes, 3 observations, and 3 questions.
This week, in honor of the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism, this will be a 4x4.
Wisdom
🤨 Quote
“A good character, when established, is not easy to shake, nor can it be undermined by sudden impulses. Wisdom is always stable.”
Seneca
Source: Moral Letters, Letter 76
Observation 🧐
Character is carved in stone they like to say. When established, it is unshakable.
But at the bedrock of one’s moral character isn’t a fancy quote or aphorism, it’s an deep understanding of how to act in a given situation. To know what the right decision is, and if not right, the best decision for the situation.
Practical wisdom anchors character. It establishes one’s ability to tackle any situation by way of knowledge of what’s right and wrong.
It is the practical application of knowledge that prevents us from being shaken in turbulent times.
🤔 Question
What piece of practical wisdom has helped you better align your moral character?
Courage
🤨 Quote
“Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.”
Epictetus
Source: Discourses 1.24
Observation 🧐
How do I build courage so I’m no longer scared of situations, people, or uncertainty?
This is the wrong question to ask.
The better question to ask is what situations drive fear in me, and how can I put myself in those situations to learn how to overcome them?
Courage is built through the trials we test ourselves against. And it is through these trials that we build strength to stand up to the injustices of the world.
🤔 Question
What is one thing you did so far this week to build moral courage within yourself? If nothing, what can you do by Friday to practice this muscle?
Justice
🤨 Quote
“Do not be ashamed to help others, for it is your task to do what needs doing as a human being.”
Marcus Aurelius
Source: Meditations 7.7
Observation 🧐
We’re all connected to each other, a web of relations starting with ourselves and working our way out to family, friends, community, and ultimately, the whole world.
The question is, why do we refuse to acknowledge this in everyday issues?
Keeping an eye towards our shared humanity is what brings us closer together and helps build a future for all of humanity.
No one left behind. As Marcus Aurelius reminded himself, “What is not good for the beehive, cannot be good for the bees.”
🤔 Question
How do you think about the bigger picture and the impact of your independently actions on the larger society? What if everyone was copying your actions, what would it do to society? Make it better or worse?
Temperance
🤨 Quote
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Marcus Aurelius
Source: Meditations 12.36
Observation 🧐
We know people will frustrate us.
We know we should treat people how we ourselves wish to be treated.
But then they do something to set us off—they ignore us, do something we asked for wrong, were rude.
So we respond.
It’s easy to lash out when we’re angry. When we feel we’ve been insulated, ignored, or misrepresented.
But it’s also frustrating when we later feel shame for not controlling ourselves.
The outside world will continue to press up against us in ways that make us uncomfortable, frustrate us, or annoy.
Our job, though, is to ensure we remember we’re in control of how we choose to respond.
“Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself,” as Marcus Aurelius reminded himself.
🤔 Question
How do you control yourself in situations where you feel the need to respond?
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Until next time,
D.A. DiGerolamo
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