The Stoics believed in doing good and leading a virtuous life. They were trustworthy individuals who were generous, kind, and respectable. They rejected the notion of a heavenly recompense for good life in favor of the belief that virtue was its own reward. Additionally, they held that fate was inevitable so there was no use in grieving over something you had no control over. Stoicism is based on the teachings of Zeno of Citium, a Greek philosopher who lived from c. 485 to 425 B.C. He developed his philosophy in Athens where it became popular with many important people such as Aristotle and Alexander the Great. In fact, Zeno's ideas on self-improvement and striving for moral excellence inspired many leaders throughout history—including Mahatma Gandhi. Here are some other traits of stoicism: • Have courage. Stoics believe that we should pursue our goals with confidence and without fear. They also believe that it is possible to improve one's character through practice so there is no reason to be afraid or discouraged by failures. • Be honest. The Stoics believed in being true to oneself at all times. This means showing integrity in our relationships with others by being truthful even when it is difficult to do so. It also means keeping confidential information private so others will trust us.