Being stoic means staying steady and self-controlled in the face of pain, stress, or hardship, rather than being ruled by emotions or complaints. It is about keeping calm and accepting what happens while choosing your response thoughtfully.
Everyday meaning
In everyday language, a “stoic” is someone who endures difficulty without showing much emotion or complaining. People often use it to describe a calm, unflappable attitude when things go wrong.
Philosophical Stoicism
In philosophy, a Stoic (capital S) is someone who follows the ancient Stoic school, which teaches living according to reason and virtue (wisdom, courage, justice, and self-control). This approach focuses on accepting what is outside your control and taking full responsibility for how you think and act.
Emotions and control
Being stoic does not mean having no feelings; it means not letting emotions dictate behavior. A stoic person notices emotions like anger or fear, but responds in a measured, principled way instead of reacting impulsively.
Core traits of a stoic person
Common traits associated with being stoic include:
- Calmness under pressure and in crises.
- Acceptance of what cannot be changed, with effort focused on what can be controlled (thoughts, actions, character).
- Commitment to acting with integrity, fairness, and self-discipline even when it is difficult.
