The four Stoic virtues are wisdom, courage, justice and temperance. In a practical introduction, they ask how to judge a situation, act on a sound judgment, treat other people fairly and exercise appropriate restraint.
- Wisdom: good judgment about what matters and what to do.
- Courage: facing what should be faced for a good reason.
- Justice: acting fairly and taking responsibilities toward others seriously.
- Temperance: moderation and self-control guided by judgment.
These are simplified explanations for everyday reflection. Below are examples, a worked situation and four journal questions, with the ancient sources kept separate from our modern exercises.
What are the four virtues of Stoicism?
In Book VII, sections 92–93, of Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, Diogenes Laertius names wisdom, courage, justice and temperance as primary virtues in his account of Stoic ethics. His discussion connects virtue with knowledge and judgment.
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy's account of Stoicism explains that the virtues are interdependent. The framework concerns how a person reasons and acts; it is more demanding than collecting four good habits or maximizing four separate scores.
For a beginner, a useful question is: "What would a well-considered, fair and proportionate response look like here?" The sections below unpack that question without claiming that a short exercise captures the whole philosophy.
The four Stoic virtues with everyday examples
The following examples and questions are original modern applications. They are not quotations from ancient authors.
1. Wisdom
Consider what you know, what you are assuming and what deserves weight in a decision. Being quick with an answer is different from having a well-founded judgment.
Everyday example: a message sounds critical. Before replying, you reread what was actually said and ask a clarifying question about the part you do not understand.
Journal question: What do I know, and what might I need to reconsider?
2. Courage
Act on a sound reason when the action is uncomfortable. The reason matters: taking a risk or enduring discomfort does not automatically make an action worthwhile.
Everyday example: you notice an error in a report you sent. You tell the people affected, explain the correction and accept the awkward conversation.
Journal question: What worthwhile action am I avoiding because it feels uncomfortable?
3. Justice
Include other people in your reasoning. Consider fairness, honesty and the responsibilities that come with your role, especially when taking the easier option would benefit you.
Everyday example: you are praised for a result that a colleague helped produce. You name their contribution rather than quietly accepting all the credit.
Journal question: Who is affected, and what would treating them fairly require?
4. Temperance
Use restraint in a way that fits the situation. Moderation is not a requirement to deny every pleasure or make daily life as uncomfortable as possible.
Everyday example: an argument is getting heated. You pause before sending another message and return with the specific point you need to discuss.
Journal question: What would enough look like here, and where would restraint help?
How the Stoic virtues work together
Fictional example: during a team meeting, your manager credits you alone for work you and a colleague completed together. You want to correct the account without embarrassing anyone.
- Wisdom: check the facts and choose a useful moment to clarify the contribution.
- Courage: speak even though receiving the praise quietly would feel easier.
- Justice: give your colleague appropriate credit.
- Temperance: make the correction proportionately, without turning it into an accusation.
An original example response is: "Thank you. Mira did the analysis that made this possible; I put our findings together for the presentation." One action can involve all four perspectives.
That is why "Which virtue should I ignore so I can maximize another?" is often the wrong question. A courageous action also needs judgment about its purpose, its effects on others and its limits.
How to reflect on one choice using the four virtues
Choose an ordinary decision from today. This is an original reflection sequence, with no required duration or score.
- Describe the situation. Write the event briefly, including what remains uncertain. Separate what happened from the explanation you added.
- Ask the four questions. What do I know? What worthwhile action am I avoiding? Who is affected? Where would restraint help? Answer only as much as the situation needs.
- Choose a response. Name one action that fits the facts and your responsibilities. You can also decide to ask for information or wait for a more suitable moment.
- Return to what you did. Afterward, note the action you took and anything you would reconsider. Keep the quality of your choice separate from whether everyone reacted as you hoped.
In Enchiridion, section 1, Epictetus distinguishes what is up to us from what is not. For this exercise, that means attending to your response while recognizing that you cannot determine every outcome or another person's reaction. It does not mean you have no influence on your circumstances.
For more starting points, try the 10 Stoic journal prompts or use a blank journal worksheet for your example.
Common questions about the four Stoic virtues
What are the four Stoic virtues?
They are wisdom, courage, justice and temperance. The explanations in this guide connect them with judgment, principled action, fairness and moderation, while treating them as related parts of a way of living.
What are the four pillars of Stoicism?
If you are using "four pillars" to mean the four virtues, the list is wisdom, courage, justice and temperance. This guide uses the term virtues, following the ancient account cited above. The list is an entry point into Stoic ethics, not a complete account of Stoicism.
Do the four Stoic virtues have to be in a particular order?
You can use the order wisdom, courage, justice and temperance to remember them. The order of a modern list is not a sequence of four stages to complete. A single situation can call on all four.
Is temperance the same as discipline?
Discipline can help you practice restraint, but temperance involves judgment about what is appropriate. Following a rigid rule or enduring unnecessary discomfort is not automatically a good example of it.
Which Stoic virtue is most important?
Wisdom highlights the role of sound judgment, but the Stoic account treats the virtues as interdependent. It is misleading to use one as permission to disregard fairness, courage or moderation.
What is a simple example of practicing a Stoic virtue?
Correcting an error you made can involve courage. Checking the facts, explaining the effect on others and making a proportionate correction bring wisdom, justice and temperance into the same action.
Sources and editorial notes
- Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, Book VII, sections 92–93, translated by R. D. Hicks.
- Epictetus, Enchiridion, section 1, translated by Elizabeth Carter.
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Stoicism, especially the discussion of virtue in section 4.2.
Reviewed October 14, 2026. Definitions are simplified for an introductory guide. The everyday examples, fictional meeting and journal questions are original editorial interpretations. They are not ancient quotations. Read our editorial policy.