Living in Accord with Nature — Without Exploiting It

“Follow nature.”
– Zeno of Citium

“Live in accord with nature” is one of Stoicism’s foundational maxims.

But it’s often misunderstood.

Some interpret it as doing whatever feels natural.

Others use it to justify hunting, domination, or “survival of the fittest.”

But Stoic nature isn’t about instincts.

It’s about reason.

About living in alignment with the nature of a rational, social being — and in harmony with the world that sustains us.

Which raises the question:

Can you exploit nature and still live in accord with it?

Harmony, Not Control

The Stoics believed that everything in nature had its place — and its purpose.

Animals aren’t here to serve us.

Forests aren’t here to be cleared.

Nature isn’t here to be tamed, but respected.

To consume more than we need, to breed animals for suffering, to pollute and plunder for profit — none of this reflects reason or virtue.

It reflects power unchecked by wisdom.

Veganism as Ecological Stoicism

Veganism is often framed as compassion, but it’s also deeply rational:

• It uses fewer resources
• It reduces harm
• It acknowledges interdependence

It’s not about worshipping nature — it’s about cooperating with it.

That’s Stoicism in action.

Living in accord with nature today means recognizing that we don’t stand above it — we exist within it.

And every purchase, every meal, every habit either maintains that accord or violates it.

Are You in Alignment?

Ask yourself:

• Do my choices reflect balance or excess?
• Am I living with gratitude or greed?
• Do I live with nature — or off of it?

If the Stoic life is one of alignment, then modern alignment requires facing the realities of exploitation — and choosing differently.

Nature isn’t something you conquer.
It’s something you harmonise with.

And the more you align with it, the less harm you leave behind.

Photo by Candid Flaneur