“Accept humbly: let go easily.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.33 (Penguin)

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (121- 180 CE), son of Domitia Lucilla and adoptive son of Emperor Antoninus Pius, was a Stoic philosopher best-remembered as the author of Meditations. This popular book is often called “the best self-help book.” Marcus Aurelius’ stoic sayings can be short and pithy; sagacious and complex; or even lessons in etiquette and diplomacy. 

Though I’m not a great fan of Meditations, I was fascinated by Donald J. Robertson’s lively biography, Marcus Aurelius Stoic Philosopher. This short, riveting book is crammed with action, political maneuvering, warfare, thoughts on the advantages of mediation with the enemy, decadent co-emperors, the solace of philosophy, and the spread of the plague that decimated Rome.

The truth is, Marcus Aurelius was a reluctant emperor. He preferred philosophy to politics. Nonetheless, he was well-prepared for the job: he was fast-tracked through several high-level political offices after the emperor Antoninus, his adoptive father, named Marcus his heir. (Antoninus’ predecessor, Hadrian, had also taken an interest in Marcus.)

Marcus’ stoicism directed his political decisions. Philosophy had intrigued him since he was a boy. His mother, Lucilla, was his role model:  she was gentle, calm, well-spoken, and in letters he called her his “little mother.” She directed his education: the curriculum was divided into two parts, Greek rhetoric and philosophy, the former for the sake of public speaking and the law, the latter for critical thinking and pursuing wisdom. Sometimes Marcus managed to turn a negative into a a positive. No wonder Meditations is so popular.

Marcus Aurelius was popular with the Roman people. But he had to work with, and cover for, his decadent co-emperor, Lucius Verus, a slacker who, even in wartime, loitered and partied at luxurious resorts before arriving late to the scene of war. Later, after Lucius Verus’ death, Marcus Aurelius was full of grief when he had to name his son, Commodus, co-emperor. Commodus was another party boy, very like Lucius Verus, but the people did not know that. One can only hope poor Marcus’ meditations helped him. In 190 CE, Marcus died of what was probably the plague.

Meditations is now on my bedside table. Some of his maxims are inspiring; other times I raise my eyebrows.

But he is often curiously modern.  There used to be a sweatshirt slogan: “Living well is the best revenge.”  Marcus Aurelius put better:  “The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.”