The entire philosophy of Stoicism is built on the idea of the “golden mean,” which is sometimes referred to as the “middle way.” From the beginning, the Stoics took a balanced position between two other philosophical movements of the time, namely, Cynicism and Epicureanism. The Cynics also believed that we become happy when we live in agreement with nature, free from the desire for material possessions and social status.
But unlike the Stoics, they believed that social constructs (like money) were not a part of living naturally. The Stoics believed we should adapt to society. Epicureans, on the other hand, believed that we can achieve happiness by pursuing pleasure while avoiding pain.
The Epicureans and Stoics both agreed that we can achieve mental tranquillity by living a simple and moderate life. But the Stoics didn’t believe in avoiding pain – or anything that’s natural, for that matter. The Stoics chose the middle path.
They didn’t renounce the pleasures of society, nor did they run away from hardship. They offered a balanced view on every topic in life. Seneca, one of the wealthier Stoics, talked about the golden mean in relation to money and its excess as follows: “You ask what is the proper measure of wealth? The best measure is to have what is necessary, and next best, to have enough.
” He agrees with Bogle. We shouldn’t renounce wealth like the Cynics, because we need it to live a good life. But we also don’t need it in excess so we can fulfil.