In a similar way we too must prepare or rehearse for whatever the future may have in store for us. Rehearsing in times of peace, so that one is ready and prepared when war comes. In numerous stoic literatures, we are told to prepare for anything fortune may throw at us, be it good or bad often it is described as being a soldier on duty - always ready and always prepared. Premeditatio Malorum - The premeditation of evils. Rehearsing death teaches you how to live free from fear and put into perspective what is and is not important in life. To accept your mortality was one of the most important practises in stoic instruction. The rehearsal and reminder of death was a core teaching in stoicism and a key focus in all of the stoic texts. Memento Mori - Remember that you will die. The four reflections (or mediations) help us to exemplify and achieve this motto. The purpose of stoic philosophy is to help us live in accordance with nature and live in its rhythm. Seneca stated that, 'To Live in Accordance With Nature' was the motto of Stoicism. It reminds us that, just as fire is a living thing, we must breathe life into our practises and kindle the flame of virtue within us. It is the essence of who we are and what we can be. This is what the modern day stoic should strive to achieve.įire the divine fire in the centre of the coin represents the reason and rationality of the human mind and soul. The embodiment of the cardinal virtues leads to what Cicero called - 'Summum Bonum' - 'The highest good'. The front of the coin displays the 4 cardinal virtues: WISDOM, JUSTICE, COURAGE and TEMPERANCE. It is a beautiful quote which carries a lot of meaning, befitting of its place on the coin. This coin serves not only as a reminder, but as an instrument for us to use, to return us to the rhythm of nature and bring us back on track when life knocks us off course.īoth the front and back of the coin are bordered with stars inspired by a quote from Meditations, which talks about running with the stars in their course and to see the world as they do - from above and afar. In Meditations - we are told that as a doctor always keeps their knives and instruments at hand, we too should have our doctrines at the ready. A beautifully crafted coin, perfect for the practising Stoic.Īs a practitioner of stoicism for a number of years, I originally designed this coin for personal use, it was designed to encompass all of stoicism's predominant maxims and exercises in one coin.
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