How To Make Better Choices

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The process of human life is always to strive for better and better. Our ancestors constantly looked for ways to improve both their stuff and themselves. And we have to trust that this desire for improvement has a purpose in and of itself.


One way in which we can improve is with role models. They help us and inspire us to be and become the kind of person we want to be. We look up to them and, therefore, end up ‘copying’ them in various ways.



“Take a good hard look at people’s ruling principles, especially of the wise, what they run away from and what they seek out.”

- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.38



1. The Stoic Sage

Another version of the role model is the Stoic Sage Strategy. Role models and this strategy are both used for similar reasons though: becoming more like who you want yourself to be.


The stoic sage is someone that doesn't actually exist, he represents the perfection of the Stoic ideal. He is, in other words, perfect in his practice of Stoicism and he embodies all of the teachings of Stoicism. I use this idea of the Stoic sage to have an aim to aim at.

If you aim high, you have more chances to land high!




2. Role Model VS Stoic Sage

The role model is, in comparison, someone you know and actually exists. It might be your father/mother, a celebrity or anyone you look up to a lot. 


There is a reason why the Sage does not exist. Perfection exists only in imperfection and not in actual perfection. This means being perfect would be like Michael Jackson with no penchant for little childrens and with perfectly stable mental health: try again harder, you ain’t it!



3. How to use the stoic sage strategy?

Improvement comes in small steps


You can use the Stoic sage strategy when you are looking for advice on what to do/say in any situation.


So, it goes like this:

Imagining this Stoic sage in your situation while letting his wisdom and character respond to your situation. Imagine how would a Stoic sage, who embodies perfectly the stoic ideals of wisdom, courage, justice and moderation, respond to your situation?


Your goal here is to get guidance on how to be and better, not on how to be perfect. Perfection is like a good song of Jul, it doesn't exist 🤭


Perfection is only for dumbasses. The only way to think you are perfect is by fooling yourself in thinking you are. Please dont...










Anyways, tell me how you found this perfect article and please share your credit card numbers in the comments down below!





-The Stoic Student









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