Greek · Latin · English

Words for what
we cannot control.

Prayers, hymns, and reflections from the Stoics and the voices they returned to. Read the ancient words beside their translations.

Begin with Cleanthes

ἄγου δέ μ᾽, ὦ Ζεῦ,
καὶ σύ γ᾽ ἡ Πεπρωμένη

Lead me, Zeus,
and you too, Destiny.
Cleanthes · Enchiridion 53.1 ↗

The collection

A place to begin again

22 of 22 passages

Prayers and hymns

CleanthesHymn to ZeusHymn to Zeus, lines 1–39CleanthesPrayer to Zeus and DestinyEnchiridion 53.1; Letters 107.11EpictetusPrayer for the arrival of difficultiesDiscourses 1.6.37EpictetusHymn of gratitude for the gifts of lifeDiscourses 1.16.15–21EpictetusPrayer of complete surrenderDiscourses 2.16.42EpictetusPrayer of self-examination in illness and deathDiscourses 3.5.7–10EpictetusPrayer concerning remaining alive or departingDiscourses 3.24.96–102EpictetusFinal thanksgiving and return of lifeDiscourses 4.10.14–16 (prayer excerpt)Marcus AureliusThree prayers of inward freedomMeditations 9.40Marcus AureliusAddress to the UniverseMeditations 4.23Marcus Aurelius“I love as thou lovest”Meditations 10.21Marcus AureliusThanksgiving for his lifeMeditations 1.17

Reflections on prayer

SenecaFor health of mind and bodyLetters 10.4 (excerpt)SenecaA disinterested prayerLetters 60.1 (closing sentence)SenecaFor an honourable life and the virtue to endureLetters 67.7SenecaFor life and healthLetters 117.24 (closing sentences)PersiusThe offering appropriate to prayerSatire 2.71–75

Related voices

AtheniansAthenian prayer for rainMeditations 5.7Demetrius the CynicPrayer of willing surrenderOn Providence 5.5Aratus of SoliOpening hymn and prayer in the PhaenomenaPhaenomena 1–18EuripidesAcceptance of necessityEnchiridion 53.2, quoting EuripidesSocratesAcceptance of the gods’ willEnchiridion 53.3–4, quoting Socrates