While I love Nietszche, and agree that the philisophy cannot be separated from the philosopher. I am not sure that the way you've applied it to the stoics is ac

While I love Nietszche, and agree that the philisophy cannot be separated from the philosopher. I am not sure that the way you've applied it to the stoics is accurate. If we take two of the most well known, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Seneca is well known to have been quite hypocritical. He apparently lived quit a hedonistic life. And reading the Meditations, I see Marcus Aurelius constantly admonishing, himslef for his failings to stick to the stoic principles; or reminding himself to do so.[0] I personally think that those that seek out specific philosophies are often those that need them the most; not those that fit them the best. I'm extremely drawn to stoic philosophy, but am definitely not stoic in character! Personal philosophies especially. It reminds me of this scene in Parks and Recreation. Ron Swanson goes meditating with Chris Treger, and says the following afterwards: "All told we were in there about 6 hour, and no I was not meditating. I just stood there quietly breathing. There were no thougths in my head whatsoever. My mind was blank. I don’t know what the hell these other crack pots are doing". The irony being that he's so good at meditation that he sees no value in the practice. [0] Nietszche might well say that this means the stoic life was too unnatural to be followed without failure; if it's most well known proponents couldn't even stick to it. I certainly disagree there.