The Stoics were not opposed to emotion in general but to negative emotions such as fear, anger, and grief — what sensible person wouldn’t be? They saw nothing at all wrong, though, with the experience of positive emotions. Indeed, they strove to put themselves into a state of mind in which they could take delight in the world around them. William Irvine
In the preface of The Intelligent Investor, Buffett wrote that to invest successfully over a lifetime, one need not have a high IQ, unusual business insights or inside information. What is needed more is a sound intellectual framework for decision making and the ability to control emotions from affecting that framework. Understanding this, achieving such a mindset is easier said than done. We have provided a couple of essential reads for investors interested in stoicism, a philosophy founded in early 3rd century B.C. For those wanting a easier and lighter read, I would recommend starting with Leithner’s letters.
Key Books:
Seneca: Letters from a Stoic
Epictetus: Enchiridion
Marcus Aurelius: Meditations: A New Translation
Lighter Reads
Leithner Letters: Part 1 | Part 2
Deeper Reads
Seneca: Moral Essays Vol. 1 | Moral Essays Vol. 2 | Moral Essays Vol. 3
Epictetus: The Discourses of Epictetus – The Handbook
