Life Lesson Quote of the day by Marcus Aurelius: 'If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying...'

Quote of the day by Marcus Aurelius: Marcus Aurelius is remembered as a Roman emperor, a Stoic philosopher and the author of 'Meditations'. But his lasting appeal comes from something much more relatable: his struggle to remain calm, disciplined and principled while dealing with the enormous pressures of power, war and everyday life. Born in 121 CE, Aurelius became emperor in 161 CE and ruled until his death in 180 CE. He was the last of what historians traditionally call the 'Five Good Emperors'. Unlike many rulers who are remembered primarily for military victories or political power, Aurelius became equally famous for his reflections on how a person should live.

A ROMAN EMPEROR WHO STUDIED STOICISM

Aurelius was introduced to philosophy at a young age and later studied Stoicism under teachers including Apollonius of Chalcedon and Quintus Junius Rusticus. Rusticus also introduced him to the writings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Stoicism taught Aurelius to focus on reason, self-discipline, virtue and his responsibilities to other people. One of its most enduring ideas is the distinction between what we can control and what we cannot. That principle remains surprisingly relevant today. You cannot control another person's opinion, prevent every disappointment or guarantee that life will follow your plans. But you can control how you respond.



Quote of the day

Quote of the day by Marcus Aurelius: "If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying anything deserving of contempt," is widely attributed to Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius.

Meaning of the quote

The quote of the day by Marcus Aurelius brings into focus one of the most fundamental beliefs of the Stoics: while it is impossible to be sure how other people will regard you or what they think of you – whether they admire you, dislike you, or even despise you, you have full control over your own character. In other words, what Aurelius is trying to say is that you should not let anyone else's opinion serve as the basis of your self-esteem. If the judgment of other people is negative for no reasonable cause, then this judgment should stay with them. All you need to do is examine your actions and see if they are worthy of the other person's disapprobation. If the answer is affirmative, there is no need to worry about the opinions of other people. However, it does not mean that you can simply disregard any kind of criticism. If your behavior justifies criticism, then it should lead you to self-examination.

MEDITATIONS - A COLLECTION OF PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Marcus Aurelius' most famous work, Meditations, was essentially a collection of personal reflections rather than a polished philosophical book written for an audience. Much of it was written during military campaigns in the Danube region during the later years of his life. The writings repeatedly return to questions that still trouble people today: How should I behave when life becomes difficult? How should I respond to criticism? How can I remain focused when circumstances are outside my control? That is one reason 'Meditations' continues to feel personal. Marcus was not simply presenting abstract philosophical theories. He was reminding himself how he wanted to live.

WHY MARCUS AURELIUS STILL MATTERS

The appeal of Aurelius is not that he lived an easy life. His reign included wars, political pressures and a devastating plague. His philosophy was tested by circumstances rather than developed in isolation. The Stoic lesson reflected in his writings can be applied to nearly any situation in today’s world; that is, stop trying to control your surroundings and start controlling yourself.

When a person makes a comment about you, it is possible to look at whether their criticisms have merit without letting another person’s viewpoint dictate yours. In cases where plans do not work out, it is possible to be disappointed but still make the decision about how to act in the future. This ability to think about oneself, take responsibility and maintain one’s emotions is what makes Marcus Aurelius relevant even today, almost two millennia later.