Life lessons from the philosopher king

Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils — nor the human race, as I believe — and then only will this our State have a possibility of life and behold the light of day.
Plato

Plato first described the concept of a philosopher king in his Socratic dialogue, The Republic, published in 380 BC.

A philosopher king possesses both respected political power and profound wisdom.

Plato believed that until societies were ruled by philosopher kings, the human race “will never have rest from their evils.”

Nearly 500 years after Plato’s death, the man who would ultimately best fulfill Plato’s vision of a philosopher king was born.

Although he would become one history’s most influential Roman emperors, Marcus Aurelius was not born into the imperial bloodline.

Marcus’ family was immensely wealthy, but his mother, Domita Lucilla, preferred a simple, Spartan lifestyle.

Marcus’ father passed away when the future philosopher king was only three years old. However, Marcus’ father was instrumental in the development of his philosophies and perspectives.

All Marcus knew of his father was what he’d been told by family and friends. In his iconic Stoic text, Meditations, Marcus describes his father as “manly and modest.” At this point in history, modesty was equated with weakness, but Marcus knew the falsity of that belief and respected his father’s humility.

Two other men greatly influenced Marcus’ views and opinions on Stoicism. The first was Junius Rusticus, Marcus’ main Stoic tutor and friend of his mother’s.

At this point in his life, Marcus Aurelius was not in line to become emperor. However, as a teenager, he was adopted by a Roman noble who was destined for the imperial throne: Antoninus Pius.

Antoninus Pius become Marcus’ role model and, throughout his life, Marcus would refer to himself as a “disciple of Antoninus.”

In Meditations, Marcus pours out his admiration for his adoptive father, describing him as gentle and never harsh or overbearing.

Antoninus Pius instilled in Marcus the value of compassion and avoiding anger.

Upon Antoninus Pius’ death, Marcus Aurelius became the emperor of Rome.

Marcus‘ rule was not without turbulence. Between battle with the Parthian empire, disease wiping out portions of his populations, and fellow Roman Avidius Cassius challenging his very right to rule, Marcus endured very much during his nearly 20-year reign.

To cope with the imperfect circumstances, Marcus Aurelius penned a text, originally intended to be kept as a private journal, that is now regarded as the most iconic Stoic scripture ever written: Meditations.

Marcus is often described as tucked away in his tent after a long, brutal day of battle, reclaiming his thoughts and pouring his philosophies and perspectives onto his parchment. He did not write Meditations surrounded by wealth and riches in an ornate palace.

Meditations offers unparalleled guidance for people from statuses and creeds. I’ve condensed its advice into three broad life lessons.

Life Lesson #1: You are in control of your own thoughts.

You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius lived alongside his troops during battle. He engaged with and learned about them. They often told him personal stories of poverty and tragedy.

From them, Marcus learned that life is how one perceives it.

One cannot control external events, only one’s reaction to them. Independently, external events have no power over one’s mind. One gives them power by reacting and engaging them.

This philosophy was echoed by the Greek Stoic, Epictetus, who said, “Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.”

Life Lesson #2: Choose not to be influenced by external opinions.

How much time he saves who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks.
Marcus Aurelius

As a Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius was surrounded by legions of advisers and courtiers. He was inundated with opinions.

If Marcus chose to agree with and act upon every single one of those often-conflicting ideas, his reign, and to a degree, the Roman empire as a whole, would not have lasted nearly as long.

Again, there is no eradicating external opinions, only controlling one’s perception of them.

This immunity to scathing opinions is born of deep, grounded confidence in one’s self, another topic Marcus writes about extensively in Meditations.

Life Lesson #3: Accept that life is finite.

Alexander the Great and his mule driver both died and the same thing happened to both. They were absorbed alike into the life force of the world, or dissolved alike into atoms.
Marcus Aurelius

Alexander the Great believed he was the son of Zeus. Cleopatra thought she was a reincarnation of the goddess Isis. Unlike his powerful classical contemporaries, Marcus Aurelius did not regard himself as inherently superior to his subjects.

He knew, upon death, he would end up in the same place as the poorest slave of his empire: the ground.

But instead of viewing this sobering fact of life as discouraging, Marcus used it as a grounding mechanism, an equalizer, and ultimately a source of happiness

Marcus Aurelius was one of the great philosophers of the classical age. His perspectives on happiness, comfort, and death are some of the most highly regarded in history.

Unlike many of his imperial predecessors, Marcus reigned with compassion and modesty. He truly embodied Plato’s vision of a philosopher king.

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Until next time,
Steph ✌️