Stoic Quote 4: That Sort of Person is Bound to Do That

04/04/25 • 8 min

Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

In the Stoic quotes series, we take a look at what the Stoics said and uncover the wisdom they left behind. We look at the famous writings from Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and more.

In this fourth episode, we explore a striking reminder from Marcus Aurelius in Meditations, Book 4.6:

“That sort of person is bound to do that. You might as well resent a fig tree for secreting juice. (Anyway, before very long you’ll both be death – death and soon forgotten.)”

What can we learn from this image of the fig tree and the inevitability of death? Marcus helps us confront the absurdity of holding onto resentment when people act according to their nature. Just as we don’t curse a fig tree for producing figs, we shouldn't waste our energy wishing others were different. And in the end, does it even matter? We are reminded of the shortness of life — and that we, and those who wrong us, will soon be gone and forgotten.

This is a powerful practice in accepting human behavior, releasing judgment, and keeping a wider perspective on what really matters.

If you are looking for more quotes like this one, visit viastoica.com — we have pages of hundreds of Stoic sayings. All are accompanied by their references so you can find them or use them in your own writings:

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast for more quote episodes or our regular Tuesday recordings and interviews. Also leave a rating, as this helps us reach more like-minded people.

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Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the podcast on Stoicism.

In the Stoic quotes series, we take a look at what the Stoics said and uncover the wisdom they left behind. We look at the famous writings from Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and more.

In this fourth episode, we explore a striking reminder from Marcus Aurelius in Meditations, Book 4.6:

“That sort of person is bound to do that. You might as well resent a fig tree for secreting juice. (Anyway, before very long you’ll both be death – death and soon forgotten.)”

This is a powerful practice in accepting human behavior, releasing judgment, and keeping a wider perspective on what really matters.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast for more quote episodes or our regular Tuesday recordings and interviews. Also leave a rating, as this helps us reach more like-minded people.

Support the show

Previous Episode

78. Torn by Cognitive Dissonance: Stoic Tools for Inner Alignment

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Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism

What happens when your actions betray your values? When your thoughts and behavior no longer align, it creates a kind of internal friction that the Stoics understood deeply, what we now call cognitive dissonance.

In this episode, Brice, Brendan, and Benny explore how Stoic philosophy helps us recognize and resolve these inner contradictions. We look at the signs of dissonance, why it feels so unsettling, and what the Stoics teach about living in harmony with what you truly believe.

You’ll learn how to apply Stoic practices to close the gap between who you are and who you want to be, building clarity, consistency, and peace of mind along the way.

→ Need support aligning your life with your values?
Book a free one-on-one Stoic coaching call here:
https://viastoica.com/free-consultation/

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Next Episode

79. Define Your Enough: A Stoic Roadmap to Inner Peace

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Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, the Podcast on Stoicism

What if the peace you are searching for does not come from adding more to your life, but from realizing how little you actually need?

In this episode, Brendan and Benny explore the Stoic concept of enough—a quiet but powerful idea that sits at the heart of contentment. We live in a culture that constantly tells us to do more, be more, and accumulate more. But the Stoics teach us that peace begins the moment we stop measuring our lives by external gains and start asking what is truly essential.

Together, we unpack how the ancient Stoics like Seneca and Epictetus approached the question of desire, and how their insights can help us draw a clear line between what we want and what we need. We also offer practical tools for defining your own version of enough so you can stop chasing and start living with greater clarity, freedom, and peace of mind.

If you feel like you are always on the move but never arriving, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and begin charting your own Stoic roadmap to inner peace.

Want help defining your enough and applying Stoicism to your own life?
Book a free one-on-one coaching call with us here:
https://viastoica.com/free-consultation/

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If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. It helps others find the podcast and supports our mission to bring practical Stoicism to more people around the world.

Support the show