Did Roman Stoicism poems exist?
If you’re searching for Roman Stoicism poems, there’s some evidence that one of the world’s most famous Roman Stoics, Marcus Aurelius, wasn’t a huge fan of poetry. His writing in Meditations could sometimes be described as poetic, but he’s also quoted as saying, “I learned to abstain from rhetoric and poetry.”
Aurelius oversaw the world’s most powerful city, and as the Emperor of Rome, he had many important tasks that literally determined whether Rome’s citizens lived or died. Reading poetry probably wasn’t high on his to-do list.
This is obviously up for debate and interpretation. For example, the meaning of a word like “poetry” can evolve over time. We can only judge Marcus’s words in context with his other writings. Whether or not ancient Stoics enjoyed poems, writings on the subject (if there were any) didn’t survive for us to analyze. There are poems about the ancient Stoics to be found, but none that were written by them.
Stoicism poetry: An oxymoron?
At first glance, Stoicism and poetry may not seem to belong together. Stoics are practical, rooted in the here and now, and are prepared to face any tragedies in their lives head-on. The use of symbolism and rhymes seems whimsical when juxtaposed with Stoicism, making poetry—possibly—seem like a waste of time from the Stoic perspective.
Clearly, however, many modern Stoics and legendary poets believe that poetry and Stoicism have kinship. Although they may not be explicitly referred to as “Stoicism poetry,” poems that are Stoic-inspired are available in abundance.
Max Ehrmann’s (1872-1945) “Desiderata,” which is often mistakenly attributed to a church in Maryland, highlights many sides of Stoicism, from accepting one’s fate to being patient with others and oneself. Here is a sample of it.
Go placidly amidst the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
The English writer Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) wrote one of his most famous poems, “If,” as a tribute to Leander Starr Jameson, the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony of South Africa. It exemplifies the Stoic’s aim to keep his or her counsel, refrain from complaint and hold on to one’s virtues no matter the circumstances.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same.
“If” continues with many more examples of standing firm and ends by declaring that the boy who can do all of this will become a man.
William Ernest Henley (1849-1903), also from England, authored the classic poem “Invictus” in 1875. It was his most famous work. Suffering from tuberculosis and often sickly throughout his life, Henley’s left leg was amputated below the knee at age 12. Author Robert Louis Stevenson’s character in Treasure Island, Long John Silver, was inspired by his one-legged friend Henley, whose perseverance—despite incredible odds—instilled in him many Stoic virtues.
Henley’s message of self-mastery has found its way into many areas of pop culture. While Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, he recited the poem to fellow inmates. Clint Eastwood directed the movie Invictus, which was loosely based on Mandela’s attraction to the poem. And Invictus inspired the name for the international Invictus Games for wounded soldiers, founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
“Invictus,” which could be considered modern life’s most popular poem on Stoicism, ends with a powerful Stoic-inspired reminder: We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control our reactions:
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.
Poetry on Stoicism and death: Amor fati
My search for poems about Stoicism turned up an endless supply of verses that ranged from fanciful to grounded. It’s apparent that writers are becoming inspired to share the reasons they’ve become Stoic.
Claudia Crispolti of Foligno, Italy’s poem “Let It Break” presents Stoicism clearly and directly. If you’re looking for a piece of poetry on Stoicism and death that illustrates the Stoic’s view of the cycle of life, this one may appeal to you.
An excerpt:
Give everything to the earth and the sky, water when you can, pray and dance but then let what it needs to blossom and let the dry leaves come off on their own.
What goes away always leaves room for something new: they are universal laws.
And never think that there is nothing good for you anymore, just that you have to stop holding on to what must be let go.
Only when your journey is over, then the possibilities will run out, but until then, let it all fall apart, let it go, let it be.
A famous quote about writing has been attributed to many people, from Mark Twain to Bill Clinton: “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Writing at length is much easier than choosing exact phrasing and tightening the prose. That’s what makes Dylan Bryant’s poem so powerful.
It’s titled “Forthcoming,” and it sums up Stoic philosophy in a few words. The Latin, Amor fati, means love of one’s fate.
Lifeless—
shackled by time.
Fate marches forward
with beauty and cruelty.
Amor Fati
To love one’s fate is to accept it. That is the Stoic way.
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