If you’re writing a fiction novel, your characters should possess a certain philosophy about life. It may be a virtuous philosophy, or not so virtuous. When you develop your characters consider their philosophies. What do they hold important to them? How do they conduct themselves in certain situations? How do they respond to stressful situations? How do they treat other people around them?

In my quest to learn philosophy, I was drawn to Stoicism. An ancient Greek and Roman philosophy which has long been considered the most practical of all philosophies. I discovered: Epictetus, Cato, Seneca, and the meditations of Marcus Aurelius to name a few.

My character, for example, Gus Bennett, possesses the four virtues of stoicism: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom. I was able to define Gus better because I took the time to study philosophy. I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom of the ancients. Philosophy helps you to think with an independent mind, which is something we could use today. I’ll leave you with this from Seneca.

It doesn’t matter what you bear. It matters how you bear it.

The truly great bear it with grace, poise, courage, and discipline.