The Stoic Path of the Writer

Epictetus — ‘If you wish to be a writer, write.’

“If you wish to be a writer, write.” So begins the timeless advice of the Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger on the craft of writing. In one pithy line, Seneca captures a profound stoic truth — one that serves as a guiding light for writers in any age.

To fully appreciate the wisdom hidden within this quote, we must understand the core principles of Stoic philosophy. The Stoics taught that we must accept the things we cannot control and focus our energies on what is within our power to change. As applied to writing, this means directing our efforts toward the process itself rather than worrying about external outcomes. Too often, prospective writers stall because they become preoccupied with questions that Stoics would consider outside of their control — Will anyone read my work? Will I find a publisher? How will critics evaluate my writing?

The Stoics would urge the aspiring writer to silence these worries and instead pour energy into the only thing they have power over — writing itself. Simply write — regularly, diligently, passionsately. Write for the satisfaction of writing. Write to express ideas, to creative imaginative worlds, to discipline the mind in deep focus. If you wish to develop as a writer, then embrace the identity and life of a writer. As Seneca makes clear, the way forward…