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Donald J. Robertson

15 quotes in 37 categories

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Donald John Robertson is a Scottish-born cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and author, known for his work in integrating modern cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, particularly Stoicism. He has written on Stoicism's relevance to modern therapeutic practices

Quotes by Donald J. Robertson

“Even if we’ve never met them in person but only heard about them in stories, we are drawn to the wise and…

Donald J. Robertson

Stories

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“your choices themselves are the consequences of a massive string of causation, set in motion countless billions of years before you were…

Donald J. Robertson

Causation

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“the famous Hymn to Zeus written by Cleanthes said: ‘The willing are led by fate, the reluctant dragged’.”

Donald J. Robertson

Fate

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“Wild beasts run away from dangers when they see them. Once they have escaped, they are free of anxiety. But we are…

Donald J. Robertson

Animals

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“The Stoics, by contrast, believed that we are essentially social creatures, with a ‘natural affection’ and ‘affinity’ for all people. This forms…

Donald J. Robertson

Love

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“The Sage desires only one thing, virtue, and he is cautious about only one thing, vice. He is the same in every…

Donald J. Robertson

Character

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“Whether we realize it or not, we are all living out the lives fated for us, either willingly or reluctantly. Zeno illustrated…

Donald J. Robertson

Fool

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“Goodness in other people naturally arouses our affection and friendship, not because it’s of some material advantage to us, but because it’s…

Donald J. Robertson

Character

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“Throughout the day, practise bringing your attention back to the present moment, rather than allowing it to wander off into daydreams, rumination…

Donald J. Robertson

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“It was a famous Stoic ‘paradox’ that the Sage is believed to be absolutely free, even when imprisoned or exiled by a…

Donald J. Robertson

Freedom

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“The majority of people pursue friendship for mutual advantage, in terms of ‘indifferent’ things such as wealth or reputation but this is…

Donald J. Robertson

Friend

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“As social beings, it is in our relationships that we have most opportunity to flourish. Indeed, the Stoics argued that our own…

Donald J. Robertson

Character

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“Epictetus actually says all the enmity between people is down to a single judgement of this kind, they ‘put themselves and what…

Donald J. Robertson

Animal

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“According to the Stoics therefore a man is free if his desires are not thwarted. However, if we only desire what is…

Donald J. Robertson

Freedom

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“Loving your fate and joyful acceptance Epictetus actually describes a three-stage process to his students, which relates to the discipline of desire.…

Donald J. Robertson

Day and night

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