Learn from the Wisdom of Stoics
Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor and philosopher, left behind a treasure trove of wisdom in his personal writings, Meditations. Here are some of his most powerful insights:
On the Nature of Reality:
"The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it."
This emphasizes the impermanence of all things and the power of our minds to shape our experience.
How you frame things in your mind will dictate how you feel about them.
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."
It’s a reminder to question our assumptions and recognize the subjective nature of perception.
"Each of us lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see."
This reminds us of the preciousness of the present moment and the futility of dwelling on the past or future. It's a call to act now, in this moment, to live virtuously.
On Dealing with Adversity:
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
This highlights the Stoic belief in focusing on what we can control (our conscious thoughts and actions) rather than what we can't (external events).
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."
An encouragement to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning.
"Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears."
A powerful reminder that our suffering often stems from our interpretation of events, not the events themselves.
On Living a Meaningful Life
"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
This emphasizes the importance of inner peace and contentment over external possessions or achievements. Or as Bob Marley puts it, “my home is in my head”
"The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury."
A call to rise above negativity and respond to harm with virtue.