← Glossary
Patientia is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hypomone and literally means 'the suffering' (from patior = to suffer). Unlike modern, sentimental patience, Stoic Patientia is an active process of rational acceptance. It is neither masochistic nor self-sacrificing, but a deliberate attitude that acknowledges suffering as indifferent and preserves the inner tranquility of the mind. In his letters, Seneca emphasizes that Patientia is the mark of the wise person who endures pain without losing themselves in it.