STOICISM:
a school of PHILOSOPHY founded in the fourth century B.C. by Zeno of Citium
which taught a PANTHEISTIC MONISM that identified GOD with the principle of UNIVERSAL
REASON and advised everyone to accept their place in the scheme of life by doing their
duty which was to follow the most RATIONAL path possible. The STOIC virtues were
knowledge, reason, courage, justice, and self-discipline attained through the study of
philosophy which leads to a virtuous life. Stoics taught the EXISTENCE of NATURAL law
which is known to all people and the common humanity of mankind. Today the best known
stoic is Marcus Aurelius whose works have been popularized by such POSITIVE THINKERS as
Dale Carnegie.
