A Few Lessons from Marcus Aurelius

Applicable to Modern Living

I do not believe an introduction is necessary, these are just observations like anything else we write about.

Eat with common sense.

Each day, use food in a way that benefits you instead of letting it destroy you. What and how we eat is far too often controlled entirely by impulse, when it can instead be our greatest habit to increase our overall health and energy. Instead of ordering takeout or purchasing pre-made meals that have been artificially created, simply choose a few whole foods and make a healthy meal. The taste buds become entirely satisfied with this type of food preparation once we remove that which we have grown adjusted to, the fake foods — that which is bad for us. Increase the likelihood of successfully following this route for your wellness by only purchasing these types of foods. On a day-to-day basis, get creative with different combinations of simple foods, you will quickly find that it is not difficult nor is it expensive.

Get to work.

Do not underestimate the value of hard labor. Whether it is work or exercise you should always give maximum effort. Increase your attention, ability to focus, and motivation so that you may gradually increase the efficacy of your time. You will find that the more you push yourself to increase the quality of your work, the better you will feel about yourself at the end of the day. The subconscious is quite well aware of whether it has been virtuous or lazy, and it will let us know in ways that we can not override with mere ignorance or by lying to ourselves and saying that we could do no more. These days we rarely do our best, but simply aspiring to become a bit better each day we progress through life will surely satisfy us more than just “going through the motions” each day. The better we become at our work, the more opportunities we organically create for ourselves, and this leads us further from the mundane.

Ignore insults.

Take no offense from the words of other people. Recognize that your fellow humans are here for collaboration. Any person who decides to bother themselves with speaking or acting negatively towards you simply does not see the bigger picture, and you shouldn’t trouble yourself with their ignorance. Someday they may learn, or perhaps they may not. What truly matters is that this is outside of your control and therefore not worth your attention and efforts. Focus on yourself and those who support you on your path — improve those situations and relationships leaving all else from your supply of effort and focus.

Study well.

Learn with diligence. Learning how to become the best version of yourself that you can through rigorous study and self-reflection is the most virtuous task at hand. Take it upon yourself to make this the focal point of each day. Ask yourself “How can I improve myself? What is it that I am learning and how can I make sure that whatsoever that is — I will increase my ability with this day.” Do not obsess over the results. Simply live each day like this, and you will always become better. This is where you will find the best results in your development as a virtuous person.

Keep Calm.

Keep yourself free of anger. Marcus Aurelius’ grandfather, a man who he held in high esteem, taught him to be “gentle and meek — to refrain from all anger and passion.” Upon reading his collection of meditations, you will find this to be the first topic in his journals. Passion is terrible for guidance, you will find that more often than not it will lead you astray while convincing you of its reliability. The person who understands they cannot trust their passion — and instead lives their life according to reason — is the person that lives in accordance with nature itself. This was believed by the Stoics and created their model of the virtuous life; to understand the way they practiced self-mastery, one must start by controlling his or her emotions in this way.

These are but a few simple yet effective principles on should use in their life to strive and become a better individual. I am currently studying Stoicism and the works of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, in an attempt to incorporate some of these great teachings into my own life