What Stoicism Teaches About Courage Under Fire

In this episode I reflect on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado — a living case study in courage, justice, and Stoic composure under pressure. I unpack what Stoic philosophy can teach us about moral action when outcomes are uncertain, why courage must always serve justice, and how to handle praise, power, and fear without losing our moral footing. Key takeaways from this episode include: — Courage, in Stoic terms, isn’t fearlessness but reasoned endurance in service of justice and the common good. — Justice is the crown of the virtues: it directs courage and forbids cruelty, even toward those we oppose. — Only what’s up to us — our choices, not outcomes — carries moral weight. — Honors like the Nobel are “preferred indifferents”: they can amplify virtue but never create it. — Cosmopolitan duty calls for wise solidarity — helping without controlling, respecting agency while serving truth. — The Stoic way to meet such stories is not partisanship, but character: to act bravely, justly, and humbly in our own spheres. For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not. Thanks for listening and have a great day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices