Stoicism In Marcus Aurelius Meditations

622 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Meditations marcus aurelius essay

Stoicism in Marcus Aurelius Three important messages from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor who ruled for nineteen years. He wasn’t born into the family line, but through his family connections, and his mother’s remarriage, he eventually earned the title as emperor. Marcus Aurelius is most well known for his practice of stoicism. Stoicism is the ability for a person to do absolute right, never make fault for the people. To have this trait and want to follow it is rare, but for a leader to possess these qualities is nearly unheard of. “For a time he assumed the dress of the Stoic sect and lived so abstemious and laborious a life that he injured his health.” (Biographical Note) The three major messages that can be learned from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is to not waste a single act, give thanks for those who have taught you important lessons, and finally to not procrastinate. …show more content…

Emperor Aurelius felt that every single act a person should do, should not be wasted. For example, if a person were to make a trip from the car to the house to carry in groceries, Marcus Aurelius would want that person to take as minimal trips as possible. No movement extraneous to the cause. “Let no act be done without a purpose, nor otherwise according to the perfect principles of art.” (Book Four, page 263) Technically, Marcus Aurelius doesn’t want a person to do anything without a purpose. Nobody should erect a building unless it will accomplish an

Show More
Related

  • Augustus Caesar Research Paper

    1519 Words  | 4 Pages

    Historians generally like to remember julius caesar during the Roman age and tend to forget the importance of others during this period in this paper strives to cover the importance of his son Augustus caesar and the things he has done in his life and how he has changed our way of life.

    Read More

  • Sulla and the Downfall of the Roman Republic

    1710 Words  | 4 Pages

    It was during Sulla’s service under Marius’s command in the military, that many of Sulla’s character traits were cultivated that contributed to the way he ruled. His character traits are listed in three main accounts by authors A.J. Koutsoukis, Erik Hildinger, who are both current impartial historical non-fiction writers, and Plutarch. Plutarch was a Greek historian, biographer and essayist, who is most famous for his work Parallel Lives, where he focuses on all of the contributing rulers of the Roman Republic. Plutarch is very even handed and focuses on the influence of character and moral lessons that can be learned from these emperors, good or bad.... ... middle of paper ...

    Read More

  • Augustus's Influences Of Augustus In The Res Gestae Augustus

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    Augustus influenced the way the Roman people thought of him and because of that influence he set on the people of Rome he was able to prevail as a leader. Throughout the Res Gestae Augustus portrays himself as a humble leader that was given the opportunity to rule Rome by the people and not like many other rulers before him that fought against other powerful people to take the position of the head of Rome, when in fact Augustus did exactly what others had done before. He had taken the position by force but it is what he did differently once he had it, that he was able to last. He made it seem that he did not take it nor did he want it, but he was given the position by the people of Rome for which he accepted.

    Read More

  • The Rules Of Life: Epictetus View

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    Epictetus shows us many instrumental concepts in The Enchiridion. He believes that there is a law that guides all things and that virtue consists in the imminent order of things. Human imperfection and the idea of limit is a realization that many have yet to come to. In addition, caution is valuable when setting out to achieve a goal. It is important to look at all factors before jumping into something that could end up causing one pain and frustration in the end. One must convey a sense of self-control at all times. Epictetus gives us insight on how to live a frugal life. Finally, men are disturbed not by occurrences, but by the views which they take of these happenings. The man of great intelligence accuses neither himself nor another when something goes poorly in his life. As we have seen, it is easy for one to relate Epictetus’ beliefs to his own life in today’s society. It is an amazing feat for Epictetus to have written The Enchiridion so long ago, and for it to apply to our current world.

    Read More

  • Gaius Marius Research Paper

    1251 Words  | 3 Pages

    When we think of the great empires of the past, the one that probably influenced western culture the most, would have to be the Roman Empire. It was so large that at the height of it’s power, the Roman Empire encompassed all of the Mediterranean sea going as far north as Britain, and as far east as ancient Babylon. Many different people groups and cultures were affected by the Roman Empire. They built many great wonders, many roads to connect the empire, and achieved many great feats through the might of their Empire. All of these things were possible because of one reason, the Roman military was the most dominant, cohesive, brilliant fighting force the world had ever seen. The Roman army made every great accomplishment of the empire possible. But there was a time when the Roman Republic was not powerful at all. It’s military reflected that, it was a mere collection of land holders that would fight only when needed. There was no professional force to speak of. But as time progresses and the Roman Republic evolved, so too did her military. And this transformation was due to one man, Gaius Marius. Gaius took the Roman Army and radically changed every aspect of them. He created a full time, professional army of disciplined men. And organized them into the famous legions. Without the reforms of Gaius Marius, the great Roman Empire that we all know and have studied, never would have existed.

    Read More

  • Revenge is Futile: Le’ Morte d’ Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    Aurelius, Marcus. The meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. New York: A.L. Burt, 189.

    Read More

  • Marcus Aurelius Meditations

    783 Words  | 2 Pages

    There seems to be an ambiguity as to whether Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is indeed a private document, or whether it was meant for a broader audience. Marcus Aurelius makes many private comments such as, “From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of my temper,” in the Medications that indicate that the book was a personal diary or a journal rather than a book meant for others. Marcus Aurelius records his private notes and ideas on the Stoic philosophy which further supports the argument that the book is a diary, as he expresses himself without a filter and jots down his ideas and beliefs in an informal way and uses the book as a source of self-improvement.

    Read More

  • Roman Artifac Research Paper

    458 Words  | 1 Pages

    Even though historians believed for decades that the Roman empire did not have the capability to make their way out to the Americas, there has been recent evidence indicating that this in fact is quite far from the truth. Various scientists from the Ancient Artifact Preservation Society have uncovered a massive shipwreck that does prove the fact the Romans did attempt travel to this side of the atlantic to further expand their already massive global empire.

    Read More

  • Cicero and Stoicism

    3690 Words  | 8 Pages

    philosophical temperament and affluence. Yet at times these two forces within Cicero clash and contradict with the early stoic teachings. Cicero gradually adopted the stoic lifestyle but not altogether entirely, and this is somewhat due to the fact of what it was like to be a roman of the time. The morals of everyday Rome conflicted with some of the stoic ideals that were set by early stoicism. Thus, Cicero changed the face of stoicism by romanizing it; redefining stoicism into the middle phase.

    Read More

  • Emperor Justinian Research Paper

    491 Words  | 1 Pages

    A very famous image of the political authority of the Middle Ages is of the mosaic of Emperor Justinian and his court. This court was located in the sanctuary of the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. This mosaic image is part of a larger program that is located in the chancel.

    Read More

  • Augustus Of Primaporta Analysis

    285 Words  | 1 Pages

    The free-standing sculpture Aulus Metellus was built during the Republic period; this is a sculpture of a Roman senator. This piece conveyed messages about leadership and power through his outstretched and slightly raised arm, a pose expressive of rhetorical persuasiveness. He was built to look as if he were addressing a gathering, which is traditionally shown in sculptures of rulers. Lastly, he was sculpted wearing sturdy laced leather boots and a folded and draped toga, which are characteristic garments of a Roman senator.

    Read More

  • Mark Antony Research Paper

    235 Words  | 1 Pages

    Marcus Antonius, most commonly known as Mark Antony, is the son of a general or praetor. Antony himself became a general later in life. Antony is well known for being Julius Caesar’s best friend and right hand man. When Caesar was killed, Antony said his now famous quote, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Aurelius And Lucretius

    1625 Words  | 4 Pages

    Lucretius and Marcus Aurelius, have both similar and different views on the role that death plays in life and philosophy. They both believe our fear is due in some part to the uncertainty that surrounds the process of death. However, both philosophers have dissimilar approaches on why we shouldn’t fear the unknown concept of death. Drawing from these reasons and explanations, they arrive at the way this fear affects our lives and what we should do to change it.

    Read More

  • Does Aristotle’s Function Argument Offer a Convincing Account of the Human Good?

    1843 Words  | 4 Pages

    Aristotle tries to draw a general understanding of the human good, exploring the causes of human actions, trying to identify the most common ultimate purpose of human actions. Indeed, Aristotelian’s ethics, also investigates through the psychological and the spiritual realms of human beings.

    Read More

  • The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    Marcus Aurelius was a famous philosopher in 121 through 180 C.E. He lived a hard life and even though he was surrounded by crowds he was considered a recluse. He was known for his kindness and mercy. The last years of his life were spent on a military campaign. It is said that these years were the hardest and loneliest. However, instead of becoming bitter and angry Aurelius wrote The Meditations. This was a diary or journal of his personal thoughts. He believed that by writing this it was his duty to his soul. The Meditations, is a popular piece of stoic literature. In this paper I will be describing how Aurelius used stoicism in book two of The Meditations and what I liked and did not like about what he said.

    Read More

More about Stoicism In Marcus Aurelius Meditations

Open Document