At its core, Stoicism really is just about self-improvement: improving ourselves as human beings, as citizens of the world, and as thinkers. Most quotes from the ancient Stoics could actually be considered quotes about self improvement, because they are all focused on making us better and living more virtuous lives.
To Stoics, there is never really a point you reach when you don’t need more improvement. It’s a continual process, and the destination isn’t what’s important; the journey is. Even great Stoics like Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius were continually striving to work on their own self improvement, because they were human, just like us.
As you read these quotes, remember: they were written by people who were human just like you are, with their own faults, shortcomings, and weaknesses. Self improvement is a lifelong goal of Stoicism, and you shouldn’t ever think that you’ll be able to reach a point where you won’t need to improve yourself further.
Stoic Quotes on Self Improvement from Marcus Aurelius
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.“
“Give yourself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around.“
“Assemble your life . . . action by action. And be satisfied if each one achieves its goal . . . No one can keep that from happening . . . Action by action.“
“Don’t go expecting Plato’s Republic; be satisfied with even the smallest progress.“
Stoic Quotes on Self Improvement from Epictetus
“One that desires to excel should endeavor in those things that are in themselves most excellent.“
“Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running . . . therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it, if you don’t want to do that, don’t, but make a habit of something else instead.“
“But what does Socrates say? ‘Just as one person delights in improving his farm, and another his horse, so I delight in attending to my own improvement day by day.’“
“Progress is not achieved by luck or accident, but by working on yourself daily.“
Stoic Quotes on Self Improvement from Seneca
“If your soul be habitually in practice, you will plead and teach, listen and learn, investigate and meditate. What more is necessary?“
“The day has already begun to lessen. It has shrunk considerably, but yet will still allow a goodly space of time if one rises, so to speak, with the day itself. We are more industrious, and we are better men if we anticipate the day and welcome the dawn.“
“We should every night call ourselves to an account: What infirmity have I mastered today? What passions opposed? What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired? Our vices will abate of themselves if they be brought every day to the shrift.“