Jesus and Stoicism

Discover the illuminating similarities of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Stoics philosophers, including Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca, in this book of side-by-side quotes and analysis.
Stoicism and Christianity—two of the world’s great wisdom traditions—have been guiding people toward a good life for thousands of years. But how do they compare to each other? Jesus and Stoicism places these two revered traditions side by side to consider how the words of Jesus and the Stoics together can illuminate our path toward ethical understanding and inner peace.
By placing ancient texts, like the New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Discourses and Handbook by Epictetus, Moral Letters to Lucilius by Seneca, and more, in dialogue with one another, we get a double dose of the compassion, forgiveness, generosity, and love expressed by these wise and inspiring teachers. Jesus and Stoicism focuses on the shared ethics and way of life common to both traditions, including:
- Pursuit of wisdom and virtue - Prioritizing internal integrity over external display - Rejection of materialism, consumerism, and greed - Universal love and care for all humans - Emphasis on compassion and fellowship - Insistence on social harmony, moral responsibility, and a just society
Whether you’re a lifelong Christian, a burgeoning Stoicist, or a philosophy fan, Jesus and Stoicism is a thought-provoking companion to help navigate modern life with ancient wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered about common ground between Stoic and Christian ethics, you will find insight and inspiration here. Perfect for readers who are interested in daily wisdom books, Christian self-help, or the intersection of philosophy and religion.

Brittany Polat is a philosophical writer and community organizer who shares Stoicism with people all over the world. Her previous books include Stoic Ethics: The Basics (with Christopher Gill) and Journal Like a Stoic. Find more of her work on Substack at Stoicism for Humans, or join her for Stoic community events through Modern Stoicism or Stoicare.