Marcus Aurelius : Legacy of Serenity
- Sage Mode
- Sep 22, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 1, 2024
Table of Contents
As Marcus lay on his bed, his final words emerged - "Go to the rising sun, for I am setting. Think more of death than of me." This marked the death of the last of the five good emperors, one of the most influential philosophers in the world. Even though it was 2 thousand years ago, his legacy remains.
The Story of Marcus Aurelius the Stoic Philosopher.
1 - Introduction
2000 years ago there lived a man in Rome, who was known for his great wisdom and influence. he was the most powerful man in the world and he held the highest office in the roman empire. He was the emperor, Marcus Aurelius.
He had the power to indulge in anything. He could have had anything he ever wanted, yet he chose the road not taken. Power did not corrupt him. He chose to lead the life of a good man. He believed that the purpose of life was to act in accordance with nature.
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” - Marcus Aurelius
So let us dive into the story of the great Stoic Philosopher
1.1 - Marcus Aurelius: The Philosopher Emperor:
There is little known about Marcus’s childhood, but we know that he was a very serious and purposeful young man. During his teenage years, the emperor at the time, Hadrian, was nearing death but was childless. So, he decided to adopt Antoninus, who was a senator. The agreement was that Antoninus would also adopt Marcus and another boy named Lucius Verus, as Antoninus was also childless.
After Hadrian's death and the end of Antoninus's reign, in 161 AD, Marcus Aurelius was named the emperor of the Roman Empire. But Marcus had no desire to seize power. Everyone was surprised when Marcus named his stepbrother as co-emperor. When Marcus got the kingdom, he gave half of it away; Such a character was Marcus.
"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius
He co-ruled the kingdom with his brother until his unexpected death after eight years. Marcus’s rule was not an easy period for the Roman Republic. During his reign, the Roman Empire faced many hardships such as the Parthian War (161–166), the rise of Christianity, and a plague that would kill almost 5 million people.
During all this, Marcus never lost composure and kept calm. Under Marcus Aurelius, the empire was guided by virtue and wisdom. His stoic mindset was the main reason for this.
His contributions to Stoicism revolved around the journals he kept. Today, these collections of journals are known as "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. He never intended for it to be made public. Yet, from it, we find that the once most powerful man of the Roman Empire faced almost the same problems as modern people. He used his journal to criticize himself, clear his mind, and analyze his thoughts. It served as a means for him to find peace.
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius
2 - Wisdom of Marcus Aurelius:
Marcus Aurelius believed deeply in Stoicism, a philosophy known for its profound teachings. In fact, he is known as one of the founding fathers of Stoicism. He believed in leading a good and purposeful life. He believed in living in accordance with nature and put utmost importance on the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism -
Courage,
Justice,
Temperance, and
Wisdom.
In his journal, he wrote:
“If, at some point in your life, you should come across anything better than justice, prudence, self-control, and courage—than a mind satisfied that it has succeeded in enabling you to act rationally, and satisfied to accept what’s beyond its control—if you find anything better than that, embrace it without reservations—it must be an extraordinary thing indeed—and enjoy it to the full.
But if nothing presents itself that’s superior to the spirit that lives within—the one that has subordinated individual desires to itself, that discriminates among impressions, that has broken free of physical temptations, and subordinated itself to the gods, and looks out for human beings’ welfare—if you find that there’s nothing more important or valuable than that, then don’t make room for anything but it.”
Basically what it means is that If you ever find something better than being Justice, wisdom, Temperance, and Courage, then that would be truly exceptional. But if you don't find anything better, then stick with that and don't settle for anything less.
"Live in accordance with nature, embracing what surpasses the cardinal virtues if it exists. Yet, if nothing does, hold fast to justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage, for they are unparalleled." - Marcus Aurelius
2.1 - Views
Pain
"Marcus Aurelius saw pain as an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Unlike many of us, Marcus embraced pain as a natural part of life. He recognized both physical and emotional pain as inherent aspects of existence. This perspective can also be understood through a Stoic principle known as Amor Fati – Love thy Fate.
This was a central philosophy of Marcus. It means to love your fate no matter the circumstances. You may be stuck in traffic, it doesn't matter; love your fate. You may stub your toe, It doesn't matter; love your fate. In Stoic philosophy, accepting adversities and loving them is considered a significant part. This is the main concept of Amor Fati.
Embracing one's fate despite the challenges is challenging but essential in Stoicism. It's the key to overcoming suffering. Marcus says, 'For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death,'
His wisdom encourages us to confront adversity head-on with courage. He recognizes pain as a trigger for personal and spiritual growth."
"The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury." - Marcus Aurelius
People
As the Emperor of the Roman Empire, it is inevitable to deal with people.
Here's a passage from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" where he reflects on how to deal with people:
"Begin the morning by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful, arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them because of their ignorance of what is good and evil. But I who have seen the nature of the good that it is beautiful, and of the bad that it is ugly, and the nature of him who does wrong, that it is akin to me, not only of the same blood or seed, but that it participates in the same intelligence and the same portion of the divinity, I can neither be injured by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry with my kinsman, nor hate him.”
"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” - Marcus Aurelius
Marcus advises himself to approach each interaction with compassion. He recognizes the flaws and shortcomings of people but also sees that they are all humans and thereby are all inherently good. According to him, people do bad things because of their ignorance, because they don't know any better or understand what's truly good or bad. Marcus says that ignorance is the root cause of arrogance, jealousy, and ungratefulness. This understanding of people made it much easier for him to be compassionate towards others. He believed regardless of social status or background. Each person had the potential to cultivate wisdom and live in accordance with virtue. In simple terms, he says ‘We share the same intelligence and connection to the divine. So, they can't harm me, because I won't let their negativity affect me. I won't hold grudges against them either."
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” - Marcus Aurelius
Death
As an emperor, Marcus was often confronted with the proximity of death, yet he did not fear it. Here's a passage from "Meditations" where he reflects on the topic of death:
"Think of the universe as a single living organism, with one body and one soul. Consider how all things are connected, how they move in harmony with one another, and how each contributes to the whole. Now, imagine yourself as a tiny part of this vast and intricate system, a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of existence. Reflect on the brevity of life, the transient nature of all things, and the inevitability of death.
But do not despair. For in death, as in life, there is beauty and purpose. Death is not an end, but a transition, a return to the universal essence from which we all spring. It is a natural and necessary part of the cosmic order, a renewal and regeneration of the eternal cycle of existence.
So, do not fear death, but embrace it. Embrace it as you would embrace life, with open arms and a grateful heart. For in death, as in life, there is wisdom to be found, lessons to be learned, and beauty to be discovered.
Live each day as if it were your last, for indeed it may be. Live with intention, with passion, with purpose. Be kind to others, cherish your loved ones, and seek truth and goodness in all things. For in the end, it is not the length of our lives that matters, but the depth of our experience, the richness of our relationships, and the legacy of our actions.
"Do not act as if you had ten thousand years to live. The inescapable is hanging over your head; while you have life in you, while you still can, make yourself good.” - Marcus Aurelius
Marcus did not fear death. He viewed death with the same mindset as that of life. He believed that death is also a part of life and regarded it as one's duty towards the universe. In his words, Marcus said, "For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death." He believed that by only being comfortable with the concept of death, one can truly appreciate life.
His philosophy was based on the Stoic concept of Memento Mori - remember you must die. This Stoic mindset reminds us that each day is a gift, as we could die at any moment. Marcus says, 'Let each thing you would do, say or intend be like that of a dying person.' This concept not only motivates us to take action but also reminds us to not take anything too seriously. You could be at the happiest place in your life or you might have hit rock bottom; no matter, remember you will die. For me, the concept of Memento Mori is beautiful because it is a blend of realism and idealism, which is a great approach to life.
"Death smiles at us all, but all a man can do is smile back.” Marcus Aurelius
2.2 - Legacy of The Philosopher Emperor
Marcus's teachings, philosophy, and wisdom were left behind in the journals he wrote to criticize, advise, and analyze himself. "Meditations," the book, is like a bible to the stoic philosophers. It has helped both men and women develop a healthy mindset for thousands of years. Even though Marcus only wrote it for himself and never thought of publishing it, It continues to convey the ideas and teachings of stoicism to the people in the modern era."
Conclusion:
Marcus Aurelius was not just a philosopher or an emperor; he was a good human being and that made him great. His insights on stoicism, philosophy, and life have helped and guided countless people to cultivate a serene mindset. There is a saying - ‘Be your best when no one is looking’; in his life, Marcus Aurelius did just that.
As Marcus lay on his bed, his final words emerged: "Go to the rising sun, for I am setting. **Think more of death than of me." This marked the death of the last of the five good emperors, one of the most influential philosophers in the world. Even though it was two thousand years ago, his legacy still remains.
FAQ
1. Who was Marcus Aurelius?
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor and a Stoic philosopher who ruled from 161 to 180 AD. He is known for his wisdom and the philosophical journal he wrote, "Meditations."
2. What is "Meditations"?
"Meditations" is a collection of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius where he reflected on Stoic philosophy, his thoughts, and self-criticisms. It was not intended for publication but has become a cornerstone of Stoic literature.
3. What are the Four Cardinal Virtues in Stoicism?
The Four Cardinal Virtues in Stoicism are Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom. Marcus Aurelius emphasized these virtues as essential for leading a good life.
4. What is Amor Fati?
Amor Fati, meaning "love of fate," is a Stoic principle that encourages embracing everything that happens in life, including pain and adversity, as necessary and beneficial for personal growth.
5. How did Marcus Aurelius view pain?
Marcus Aurelius saw pain as a natural part of life and an opportunity for personal growth. He believed that our reactions to pain are more important than the pain itself.
6. What was Marcus Aurelius's perspective on people?
Marcus believed in approaching each interaction with compassion and understanding, recognizing that people's flaws often stem from ignorance. He encouraged viewing others with empathy and avoiding holding grudges.
7. How did Marcus Aurelius perceive death?
Marcus Aurelius viewed death as a natural and necessary part of life. He embraced the Stoic concept of Memento Mori, which reminds us of our mortality and encourages us to live each day fully and meaningfully.
8. What is the legacy of Marcus Aurelius?
Marcus Aurelius's legacy lies in his philosophical writings, particularly "Meditations," which continues to inspire and guide people in the practice of Stoicism and living a virtuous life.
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