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Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. It was one of the longest-lasting and most influential philosophical movements in the ancient world. Stoicism teaches that virtue, the exercise of reason, and living in accordance with nature are the keys to achieving eudaimonia, often translated as flourishing or living a good life.

The Stoics believed that the universe is ordered by a rational principle, often referred to as Logos or God, and that everything happens according to fate or divine providence. They taught that while external events are beyond our control, our judgments and reactions to them are entirely within our power. This distinction between what is within our control (our thoughts, desires, and actions) and what is not (health, wealth, reputation, and the actions of others) is a central tenet of Stoic ethics.

Key Stoic virtues include wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. By cultivating these virtues and accepting what cannot be changed, Stoics aimed to achieve inner peace, resilience, and a state of apatheia, which is not apathy but rather freedom from destructive emotions like fear, anger, and excessive desire. Prominent Stoic philosophers include Epictetus, Seneca, and the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. Their teachings continue to be studied and applied for their practical guidance on living a virtuous and fulfilling life.