Three Secrets Best Left Undisclosed, Suggested by Stoicism
In the wisdom of ancient Stoicism, a philosophy rooted in Athens around 300 BCE, the value of discretion and selective sharing is highlighted as a means to protect one's inner peace and cultivate self-control. This philosophy, which emphasises virtue, self-control, and wisdom as the paths to a good life, offers timeless guidance in our modern digital world, where oversharing can lead to mental distress, privacy breaches, and security risks.
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, "The more you say, the less people remember." This quote underscores the importance of being selective with what we share, a principle that resonates strongly in our age of information overexposure.
Stoics believed in enduring difficulties with dignity rather than constant complaint. They understood that indiscriminate sharing of difficulties can increase stress and slow emotional processing, as studies show. Epictetus taught that continuously discussing our problems often amplifies them. He said, "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
Stoicism encourages individuals to hold good deeds, personal struggles, and future plans with discretion. Performing virtuous acts without seeking public recognition or praise aligns with Marcus Aurelius' teaching, "Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." By keeping plans to oneself, individuals can avoid distractions, pressures, and unpredictable external interference, fostering calm focus on what can be controlled.
Rather than broadcasting hardships or internal emotional battles, Stoicism encourages processing such difficulties privately or with trusted mentors only. This practice preserves mental clarity and emotional resilience, preventing vulnerability that might be exploited or lead to unnecessary distress.
The Stoic mindset urges mindful posting, digital minimalism, and valuing silence and discretion as strategies to reclaim peace and personal power in our interconnected world. By embodying Stoic eudaimonia—living in harmony with nature and reason, resilient against external circumstances—individuals can cultivate genuine strength and tranquility.
In summary, Stoic privacy principles protect the individual's inner life and moral integrity, advising that the most important aspects of our character and struggles should be held with discretion to cultivate genuine strength and tranquility in a noisy, interconnected world. As Seneca observed, "We suffer more often in imagination than in reality." Stoics were cautious about discussing plans and ambitions before they materialized, a practice that can help us navigate the complexities of modern life with wisdom and resilience.
[1] Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 2, 17. [2] Epictetus, Enchiridion, 1. [3] Ryan, K. (2019). Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Portfolio. [4] Irvine, B. (2009). The Stoics: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
- By following the Stoic principles of discretion, people can choose to keep their personal struggles, virtuous actions, and future plans private, much like Marcus Aurelius advised in Meditations, Book 2, 17, to avoid distractions, pressures, and external interference that may impact their focus and control.
- In line with Epictetus' teaching in Enchiridion, 1, Stoicism encourages individuals to process difficult emotions privately or with trusted mentors only to preserve mental clarity, emotional resilience, and avoid unnecessary distress in the era of information overexposure, as suggested by Ryan in Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.
