The Lessons of Marcus Aurelius

Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.

We all know there are only a few things we need to do be good, there are no excuses for not doing them.

On Advancing your Enlightenment

The sinner sins against himself; the wrongdoer wrongs himself, becoming the worse by his own action.

When someone wrongs you it is more degrading to them than to you. When wrong others you become a worse person.

Remember that all rational beings are created for one another; that toleration is a part of justice, and that men are not intentional evildoers.

It’s too easy to make others seem evil (e.g. “evil CEO of an oil company”), it’s harder but important to remember that nobody intentionally does evil things.

Think of your many years of procrastination; how the gods have repeatedly granted you further periods of grace, of which you have taken no advantage. […] Use [your time], then, to advance your enlightenment; or it will be gone, and never in your power again.

To refrain from imitation is the best revenge.

I really like this one, it’s kind of like “turn the other cheek” — did someone do you wrong? Double down on being good. Don’t let them drag you down to their level.

Desire one thing alone: that your actions or inactions alike should be worthy of a reasoning citizen.

Nothing can be good for a man unless it helps to make him just, self-disciplined, courageous, and independent; and nothing bad unless it has the contrary effect.

Accustom yourself to give careful attention to what others are saying, and try your best to enter into the mind of the speaker.

It’s easy to hear others without listening to them, to be preparing what we’ll say in response without honestly considering their point.

This close mindedness is bad, it hinders our personal evolution and our relationships. Be a better listener.

What is the very best that can be said or done with the materials a your disposal? Bet it what it may, you have the power to say it or do it; let there be no pretence that you are not a free agent.

What is the best thing you could be doing with yourself? You could be doing that right now. It’s hard, but don’t let there be excuses.

On Education

Mastery of dialectics or physics may have eluded you, but that is no reason to despair of achieving freedom, self-respect, unselfishness, and obedience to the will of God.

You don’t need a prestigious educational background or career to achieve the most important things in life. Indeed:

You cannot hope to be a scholar. But what you can do is to curb arrogance; what you can do is to rise above pleasures and pains; you can be superior to the lure of popularity; you can keep your temper with the foolish and ungrateful, yes, and even care for them.

On Gossiping

Do not waste that remains of your life in speculating about your neighbours, unless with a view to some mutual benefit. To wonder what so-and-so is doing and why, or what he is saying, or thinking, or scheming

You can talk and think about what others are doing, or you can be the kind of person people will talk and think about.

Don’t be distracted by this gossiping, instead, strive to be a good person: just, self-disciplined, independent and courageous.

Life is short: Help others, and yourself

Letting go all else, cling to the following few truths. Remember that man lives only in the present, in this fleeting instant

What you do today is who you are. Were you a good person today? Or did you put off calling your family, are you indulging when you shouldn’t?

Give your heart to the trade you have learnt, and draw refreshment from it. Let the rest of your days be spent as one who has whole-heartedly committed his all to the gods, and is therefore no man’s master or slave.

If a man makes a slip, admonish him gently and show him his mistake. If you fail to convince him, blame yourself, or else blame nobody.

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This post was previously published on MEDIUM.COM.

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