Marcus Aurelius Meditations And Stoicism Analysis

“Will I be known as the philosopher? The warrior? The tyrant...?”
(An analysis of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations and stoicism) In today’s world, it seems as though society’s favorite thing to do is focus on the negative. Almost every time someone turns on the news, it is filled with violence, turmoil, pain, and blame. One of the first questions asked after an incident is who is to blame? One side is often shown, but if the whole story was publicized, the media would be filled with different stories. News stations and social media likes to blame others for problems instead of focusing on the ways the problem can be solved. Instead of focusing on the negatives in life, Marcus Aurelius says that people should accept what has happened, and move on with their lives. This is a Stoich viewpoint. Stoics are very matter-of-fact people. Stoicism, as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “indifference to pleasure or pain.” Instead on focusing why something is happening to himself, the Stoich takes what is given to him, and continues his journey in life. In Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, Aurelius writes several proverbs explaining stoicism and ways to live life to the fullest. …show more content…
Throughout his life, Marcus Aurelius learned that living life without a purpose was pointless. Much like Plato, Aurelius knows the importance of living each day as it is the last. A life without purpose is a life not worth living. If someone is wasting talent on things that are not purposeful in life, he is pointless to the earth. Every man has his own purpose, and therefore should use it to better the world. Time on earth is fleeting, so people should focus on things that really matter in life like love, courage, and perseverance, instead of worrying about things that pass