y to avoid the inevitable. We believe that we are born without the ball, and we will die without it. It is only here for us to use for a short time, so why cry when we have to give it up or use it later(International)? This is in reference to an example of a child crying when a toy is taken by another child. The Stoic learns to accept their situation and live according to nature: that is, accepting what happens to them, and not trying to change their fate. Everywhere and continuously it is in your power to be reverently content with your present circumstance, to behave to men who are present with you according to right and to handle skillfully the present impression, that nothing you have not mastered may cross the threshold of the mind(Aurelius 139). The only acceptable actions to be taken are those that function according to nature and are virtuous, such as caring for one's body(Stanford). The presence of virtues allows the Stoic to be content with his situation as he learns to want nothing more than what he has. "Love only what falls to your lot and is destined for you; what is more suited to you than that"(Aurelius 139)? This is the goal of the Stoic, as virtue has become happiness in the sense that he is now in possession of this, the only good.When the Stoic view of good and the soul are understood, then can their views on emotion be conceived. There is no Stoic teaching that all emotion is bad. They, more accurately, warned against yielding to passions. The Stoics labeled these passions as appetite and fear(Stanford; Aurelius 25). They saw passions as leading one to actions which are irrational, and therefore, wrong. If one is overtaken by strong, overwhelming emotions, then he cannot live according to natural law and virtues(Stoic). Thus, it is true that the Stoics have always taught restraint, but not complete abstinence from emotion. Stoicism has been much criticized and misunderstood due to its teachings about ...
