Marcus Aurelius Meditations: 23 Insights from the Emperor
It may be the best book I have EVER read. I have read it numerous times and will likely read it many more times – it is THAT good. The interesting thing is that when it was written between 161 to 180 AD it was likely never intended to be published and it didn’t even have an official title. The book I am speaking of is none other than Marcus Aurelius Meditations and it actually consisted of 12 books. The books are a collection of Aurelius private notes to himself during different periods of his life as a source for his own self-improvement. Within each book, translated from Greek, are his thoughts which are numbered and vary in length from one sentence to longer paragraphs. We will review some of my favorite ideas from the book and my interpretation on how we can make them actionable in our own lives. There was one that actually made me laugh out loud that I will save for the end – I’ll just say some problems stand the test of time!
Alright, let’s take a look at some amazing thoughts from Marcus Aurelius Meditations and how in my opinion we can make them actionable in our lives. Understand, this is just a smattering of thoughts from this fantastic book. So, if you enjoy this post, I highly recommend you grab a copy of Marcus Aurelius Meditations for yourself. FYI, the translation I used is by Gregory Hays which spent a few weeks on the bestseller list back in 2002.
Ok, here we go…
(1) Don’t waste the rest of your time here worrying about other people—unless it affects the common good. It will keep you from doing anything useful. You’ll be too preoccupied with what so-and-so is doing, and why, and what they’re saying, and what they’re thinking, and what they’re up to, and all the other things that throw you off and keep you from focusing on your own mind.1 – Book 3
Make it actionable: Don’t worry about what others say or think and don’t let it affect you. By worrying about what others say or think you are wasting valuable time that you could be using to chase your own dreams.
(2) Beautiful things of any kind are beautiful in themselves and sufficient to themselves. Praise is extraneous. The object of praise remains what it was—no better and no worse. This applies, I think, even to “beautiful” things in ordinary life— physical objects, artworks.1 – Book 4
Make it actionable: Don’t waste time ruminating over praise, or condemnation for that matter. Neither changes or affects you, you stay the same after both. Positive reinforcement is nice, but don’t rely on it too much for your motivation.
(3) “If you seek tranquility, do less.” Or (more accurately) do what’s essential—what the logos (the rational principle that governs and develops the universe) of a social being requires, and in the requisite way. Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better.1 – Book 4
Make it actionable: Be wary of how you spend your time and what you spend your time on. Focusing on a few critical things will ensure you don’t spread yourself too thin.
(4) A key point to bear in mind: The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.1 – Book 4
Make it actionable: This is similar to #3 in that he advises to spend more time on more important things and less time on less important things.
(5) It’s unfortunate that this has happened. No. It’s fortunate that this has happened and I’ve remained unharmed by it—not shattered by the present or frightened of the future. It could have happened to anyone. But not everyone could have remained unharmed by it. Why treat the one as a misfortune rather than the other as fortunate?1 Book 5
Make it actionable: When something that you perceive as ‘bad’ happens to you, see it as a blessing. See it as something that made you stronger when you came out the other side.
(6) Some people, when they do someone a favor, are always looking for a chance to call it in. And some aren’t, but they’re still aware of it—still, regard it as a debt. But others don’t even do that. They’re like a vine that produces grapes without looking for anything in return.1 – Book 5
Make it actionable: Do things for other people without expecting anything in return.
(7) The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.1 – Book 5
Make it actionable: Everything in our lives stems from our thoughts – our feelings, our actions, and how we treat others. So, think good and positive thoughts.
(8) How have you behaved to the gods, to your parents, to your siblings, to your wife, to your children, to your teachers, to your nurses, to your friends, to your relatives, to your slaves? Have they all had from you nothing “wrong and unworthy, either word or deed”?1 – Book 5
Make it actionable: Simply take some time to think and reflect on how you have treated those around you.
(9) The best revenge is not to be like that.1 – Book 6
Make it actionable: Instead of trying to get back at someone, instead, vow to never treat anyone else that way.
(10) Not to assume it’s impossible because you find it hard. But to recognize that if it’s humanly possible, you can do it too.1 – Book 6
Make it actionable: Don’t give up on things that are hard, believe if they are possible that you can do them.
(11) If anyone can refute me—show me I’m making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective—I’ll gladly change. It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.1 – Book 6
Make it actionable: Refuse to let your ego get in the way of self-improvement. Be open-minded and be more concerned with improving rather than being right.
(12) Practice really hearing what people say. Do your best to get inside their minds.1 – Book 6
Make it actionable: Give others your full attention and really try to understand their viewpoint. See our previous post on Other Person’s Viewpoint (OPV).
(13) Frightened of change? But what can exist without it? What’s closer to nature’s heart? Can you take a hot bath and leave the firewood as it was? Eat food without transforming it? Can any vital process take place without something being changed? Can’t you see? It’s just the same with you—and just as vital to nature.1 – Book 7
Make it actionable: Embrace change and realize it is a necessary part of life. It is going to happen whether you like it or not; so why fight it? Perhaps you can influence it through informed actions.
(14) To speak to the Senate—or anyone—in the right tone, without being overbearing. To choose the right words.1 – Book 8
Make it actionable: Similar to the advice in a previous post on the 4 Agreements on being impeccable with your words. The words you use are powerful, so choose them wisely.
(15) Give yourself a gift: the present moment.1 – Book 8
Make it actionable: Don’t worry about the future or dwell on the past, live in the moment.
(16) You want praise from people who kick themselves every fifteen minutes, the approval of people who despise themselves. (Is it a sign of self-respect to regret nearly everything you do?)1 – Book 8
Make it actionable: Stop seeking other’s approval.
(17) To stop talking about what the good man is like, and just be one.1 – Book 10
Make it actionable: Focus on being the best you possible instead of worrying about what other people are doing.
(18) The student as boxer, not fencer. The fencer’s weapon is picked up and put down again. The boxer’s is part of him. All he has to do is clench his fist.1 – Book 12
Make it actionable: I love this analogy from Aurelius! To me, he is saying to make never-ending learning and improvement a part of who you are – not something you do only when you need it.
(19) The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it out. There are brambles in the path? Then go around them. That’s all you need to know. Nothing more. Don’t demand to know “why such things exist.” 1– Book 8
Make it actionable: Don’t waste time thinking about things that add no value to your life. Let them go and move on. Sometimes you need to cut your losses.
(20) Soon you’ll be ashes or bones. A mere name at most—and even that is just a sound, an echo. The things we want in life are empty, stale, trivial.1 – Book 5
Make it actionable: Aurelius talks a lot about death and he used it as a way to not get too stressed out or overwhelmed about trivial things as we will all be dead soon anyway.
(21) Never regard something as doing you good if it makes you betray a trust or lose your sense of shame or makes you show hatred, suspicion, ill-will or hypocrisy or a desire for things best done behind closed doors.1 – Book 8
Make it actionable: Do the right things and avoid shady things – we all know the difference.
(22) Not to feel exasperated or defeated or despondent because your days aren’t packed with wise and moral actions. But to get back up when you fail, to celebrate behaving like a human—however imperfectly—and fully embrace the pursuit you’ve embarked on.1 – Book 9
Make it actionable: We all go through rough times and bumps in the road. When you fall down, get up, dust yourself off and get better!
As for the One That Made Me Laugh!
Seems like they had some of the same problems back a couple thousand years ago that we have now.
So, if someone has bad breath or smells – Marcus Aurelius has some interesting advice for us…
(23) Don’t be irritated at people’s smell or bad breath. What’s the point? With that mouth, with those armpits, they’re going to produce that odor. —But they have a brain! Can’t they figure it out? Can’t they recognize the problem? So, you have a brain as well. Good for you. Then use your logic to awaken his. Show him. Make him realize it. If he’ll listen, then you’ll have solved the problem. Without anger. – Book 5
Make it actionable: On that note, I think I need to go brush my teeth and have a shower! I’ll let you figure out how to make it actionable in your life!
Until next time, keep learning from Marcus Aurelius Meditations, make sure your personal hygiene is on point and as always…PYMFP!
–Rick
When to Use It – Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Use the teachings from Marcus Aurelius Meditations whenever certain situations arise in your life.
What Do You Think?
What do you think of some of the advice from Marcus Aurelius Meditations? Are there any that resonate more with you than others? Please share in the comments below!
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References
1 Marcus, Aurelius, and Gregory Hays. Meditations. New York: Modern Library, 2002. Print.
Just a few thoughts that popped up as I read this list.
(4) Don’t sweat the small stuff. 90% of everything is small stuff.
(5) I cannot agree with this. Try selling this point to the surviving fire victims who lost everything. I mean everything, except their lives and the clothes they were wearing.
(6) Now here, you are back on track.
(7) You don’t want to go inside my mind. I’m thinking of the fun that my blonde CYT and I will be having this evening. She’s told me more than once ‘your mind is usually in the gutter. I like that.’
(9) Revenge is a dish best served anonymously.
(11) This the best, so far.
(13) Yes….but change is not necessarily progress.
(19) Yes….but things that add no value are almost always fun. Like trips to Vegas.
(23) Time for another one of my stories from a past life. It’s my second year at college. One of the guys living in the same section of the dorm had absolutely zero luck with girls. Let’s call him Ted. To everyone else, the reason was totally obvious – Ted’s breath smelled similar to a pile of horse manure setting out in the hot sun. We wanted to be subtle and not mock him. So….everyone chipped in some loose change and we bought Ted a large bottle of Scope. Set it in the middle of his desk while he was out. Ted got the message, and surprisingly appreciated being told. It really did not improve his chances with the opposite sex, as some of Ted’s facial features resembled those of a gargoyle, but at least the rest of us did not require nose plugs.
Anyhow, historians generally concur that Marcus Aurelius can be considered as one of the few “good emperors”. Not so with his son and heir Commodus, who history tells us acted like a complete and total egotistical douche bag. Whenever I read about Commodus, I wonder if his name served as the Latin root word for ‘commode’. Hey, like I said – – You don’t want to go inside my mind.
Hi Dave, great comments as always. Agree w/ you on #5 – I suppose there are exceptions to all of them and you can look at them differently. Funny story, LOL. Take care, Rick