## Stoic virtues Stoicism places a strong emphasis on the pursuit of virtue as a means to achieve a good life, or eudaimonia. The Stoic philosophers saw virtue as the highest good and argued that it is both necessary and sufficient for true happiness. The virtues they emphasize — wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance — are considered to be the highest expressions of our rational and social nature. Here's a brief overview of each of these four cardinal virtues and how they can be pursued: 1. Wisdom: The knowledge of what is good, bad, and indifferent. Wisdom involves making judicious choices, using reason to discern the best course of action. Pursuing wisdom could involve continuously seeking knowledge, being curious, learning from your experiences, and making decisions that align with your values and well-being. 2. Courage: The ability to face adversity and challenges with resilience. Courage in the Stoic sense isn't just physical bravery but also moral courage — standing up for what is right even when it's difficult. This could involve facing your fears, standing up for your values, and accepting life’s challenges as opportunities for growth. 3. Justice: Treating others with fairness and kindness. Justice involves understanding that we are part of a larger community and treating others with respect and fairness. Pursuing justice could mean treating others equitably, acting with integrity, and contributing to your community in meaningful ways. 4. Temperance: The practice of moderation and self-control. Temperance involves managing desires and impulses to avoid excess. This could involve setting healthy boundaries, resisting impulsive behaviors, and making balanced choices that promote long-term well-being. In terms of a unit-economics model, you can view each decision or action as an investment in one or more of these virtues. The return on that investment is the increased capacity to live in alignment with these virtues, which Stoics argue leads to peace of mind and a good life. The pursuit of these virtues is not mutually exclusive with maintaining a balanced understanding of quality of life. In fact, Stoics would argue that living virtuously contributes directly to the quality of life by fostering resilience, ethical relationships, and a sense of purpose. They see virtue not just as moral qualities but as skills for living well. In this sense, pursuing virtue could be seen as a form of strategic investment in your own well-being, resilience, and personal growth.