Stoics belittle physical harm, but this is not braggadocio. They are speaking of it in comparison to the devastating agony of shame they fancied good men generating when they knew in their hearts that they had failed to do their duty
The Stoics emphasize that physical harm is insignificant when contrasted with the deep suffering caused by failing to live according to one’s principles. Their philosophy suggests that the shame and guilt from betraying one’s moral duties are far more painful than any physical injury. This perspective is not merely boasting but rather a sincere belief in the greater weight of ethical integrity over bodily pain.
Kaplan highlights the Stoics' view that a good man’s internal conflict about satisfying his duty leads to a level of emotional torment that eclipses the consequences of physical suffering. This understanding offers a profound insight into human nature and the significance of moral fortitude, suggesting that our psychological struggles can be far more impactful than any external threats to our bodies.
