Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor and a Stoic philosopher who lived from 121 to 180 AD. He faced many challenges and hardships during his reign, such as wars, plagues, floods and rebellions. He wrote a book called Meditations, which contains his personal reflections on how to live according to Stoic principles. In this article, we will explore some of the lessons that Marcus Aurelius can teach us about how to find our purpose in life.
What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is an ancient school of philosophy that teaches that the only thing that is truly good is virtue, which means living according to reason and nature. The only thing that is truly bad is vice, which means acting against reason and nature. Everything else, such as health, wealth, fame, pleasure, and pain, is indifferent, meaning that it does not affect our happiness or unhappiness. Stoics believe that we should focus on what we can control, which is our own thoughts and actions, and accept what we cannot control, which is everything else. By doing so, we can achieve inner peace and harmony with ourselves and the world.
How to find your purpose according to Marcus Aurelius?
Marcus Aurelius offers several insights on how to find our purpose in life based on Stoic teachings. Here are some of them:
- Develop your character: Marcus Aurelius writes that the most important thing in life is to cultivate our character and become a good person. He says that we should not waste our time on trivial pursuits or distractions, but rather focus on improving ourselves and fulfilling our duties. He says that we should act with justice, wisdom, courage and self-control in every situation, and treat others with kindness and respect. He says that we should not be swayed by external opinions or emotions but rather follow our own reason and conscience. He says that we should not be afraid of death or misfortune, but rather face them with dignity and calmness.
- Be hardworking and conscientious: Marcus Aurelius writes that we should not be lazy or idle, but rather work hard and diligently at whatever we do. He says that we should not complain or make excuses, but rather do our best with what we have. He says that we should not seek fame or glory, but rather serve the common good and contribute to society. He says that we should not be greedy or selfish, but rather be generous and grateful for what we have.
- Don’t over-value praise: Marcus Aurelius writes that we should not be too attached to praise or recognition from others because they are often unreliable or insincere. He says that we should not let praise inflate our ego or make us arrogant, but rather remain humble and modest. He says that we should not seek praise for its own sake, but rather for the sake of improving ourselves and doing good.
- Don’t be afraid of criticism: Marcus Aurelius writes that we should not be too bothered by criticism or blame from others because they are often ignorant or malicious. He says that we should not let criticism hurt our self-esteem or make us angry, but rather learn from it and correct our mistakes. He says that we should not avoid criticism for fear of being disliked, but rather welcome it as a chance to grow and improve.
- Be content to live simply: Marcus Aurelius writes that we should not be too attached to material possessions or pleasures because they are often fleeting or harmful. He says that we should not chase after luxury or comfort, but rather be content with what is necessary and sufficient. He says that we should not be envious or covetous of what others have, but rather be happy for them and share with them. He says that we should not be restless or dissatisfied with what we have, but rather appreciate it and enjoy it.
Conclusion
Marcus Aurelius was a remarkable leader and thinker who showed us how to live according to Stoic principles in challenging times. His book Meditations is a treasure of wisdom and inspiration for anyone who wants to find their purpose in life. By following his advice, we can develop our character, work hard and conscientiously, avoid being influenced by praise or criticism, and live simply and contentedly. By doing so, we can achieve inner peace and happiness, regardless of external circumstances.
