Book 1, Passage 6 of the Meditations explained
This publication Meditating on The Meditations is my detailed commentary of The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. The book number and the passage number will denote each passage—for example, 1:1. The commentary goes beyond the explanation of the passages and provides my interpretation and perspectives. As an entrepreneur, it will also touch on interpretations of the principles in an organisational setting.
The commentary is first released to my Newsletter and Patreon subscribers. Then, I publish them here on Medium for the general public.
“From Diognetus: to avoid empty enthusiasms; to disbelieve all that is talked by miracle-mongers and quacks about incantations, exorcism of demons, and the like; not to hold quail-fights or be excited by such sports; to tolerate plain speaking; to have an affinity for philosophy, and to attend the lectures first of Baccheius, then of Tandasis and Marcianus; to write essays from a young age; to love the camp-bed, the hide blanket, and all else involved in the Greek training.”
From Diognetus:
Diognetus, mentioned in Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations,” is not extensively documented in historical records, and there are different individuals from various historical periods who bear this name. In the context of Marcus Aurelius’s writings, Diognetus appears as a philosophical or moral guide whose teachings influenced Marcus Aurelius’s beliefs and actions. Unfortunately, specific details about this Diognetus beyond what is referenced in “Meditations” aren’t widely available in historical sources.
to avoid empty enthusiasm;
When Marcus Aurelius refers to “empty enthusiasm,” he’s likely cautioning against excessive or unwarranted passion and lacks substance or reason. This idea aligns with Stoic philosophy, which advocates for moderation and rationality in emotions and actions as we have discussed previously. When Stoics talk about avoiding passion, they are not the same passions that Nietzsche is critical about and wants to lead with. Avoiding passions here means “without purpose” and not simply avoiding all passions and operating in a docile manner.
“Empty enthusiasm” suggests being wary of getting overly carried away by something without proper justification, evidence, or a reasoned basis. It’s a warning against blindly following or excessively investing in things that lack genuine value, logical reasoning, or ethical significance. Stoicism encourages individuals to cultivate a sense of inner calm and rational judgment, avoiding impulsive or unexamined passions that may lead to irrational behaviour or decisions.
In the same way, he is focusing on action rather than empty talk.
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
to disbelieve all that is talked by miracle-mongers and quacks about incantations, exorcism of demons, and the like;
Marcus Aurelius’ era was marked by a blend of traditional Roman religion and imported cults from different regions of the empire. Within this diverse landscape, individuals were claiming to possess supernatural powers, offering services like incantations, exorcisms, or miracle cures. These figures often preyed upon people’s vulnerabilities, promising remedies or solutions through rituals, charms, or supposed magical practices. A few millennia later, these elements persist and might have taken new forms. The underlying reason why people get caught up in these lies is because they do not uphold reason and logic. Marcus Aurelius and the Stoics considered reason as the most important faculty that humans possess. Epictetus’ Discourses start with that and it is filled with explanations why reason should be held in such high regard.
- and have no other perspective, even for a moment, than that of reason alone” — Marcus Aurelius
At that time, the prevalence of miracle-mongers, quacks, and individuals peddling various forms of superstition, magic, or purported miraculous abilities was relatively high. The Roman Empire was a diverse society with a wide range of beliefs and practices, and alongside established religions, there existed a variety of mystical or supernatural beliefs.
The prevalent beliefs in the supernatural, combined with societal uncertainties and a lack of scientific understanding, created an environment where individuals claiming mystical powers could find followers or patrons seeking help or guidance.
However, Stoicism, which emphasised reason, logic, and a rational approach to life, stood in contrast to these superstitious beliefs. Marcus Aurelius, as a Stoic philosopher, advocated critical thinking and warned against blindly believing in miracle-mongers or quacks who promised miraculous solutions without evidence or reason. His writings often reflect this scepticism toward superstition and a preference for rationality and critical thought.
not to hold quail-fights or be excited by such sports;
In an earlier passage, Marcus Aurelius reminded himself about refraining from sporting events that preoccupied the Romans. He has now included another event which was common at the time which is quail-fighting. Through evolution, humans have been able to become more compassionate with elevated levels of reason and wisdom. It could be argued that the individuals who were original thinkers by the pure source of applying reason were ahead of their time in their morality and compassion as they were not simply following the norms of society but questioning and acting based on what their reason dictated.
to tolerate plain speaking;
Stoics emphasised plain speaking. This is rooted in having an inward journey rather than complicating things to impress others. For Stoics, the externals were not something to be concerned with. These are the teachings that Marcus Aurelius is reminding himself.
In his court and political and philosophical discussions, he must come across people who to demonstrate their knowledge, would use complicated language. Such practices are often a demonstration of a lack of knowledge and insecurities.
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough” — Albert Einstein
to have an affinity for philosophy,
Philosophy for Marcus Aurelius was not a set of principles, but a way of life. There was nothing more important than philosophy for him.
“all things of the body stream away like a river, all things of the mind are dreams and delusion; life is warfare, and a visit in a strange land; the only lasting fame is oblivion. What then can escort us on our way? 2One thing, and one thing only: philosophy.” — Marcus Aurelius
and to attend the lectures first of Baccheius, then of Tandasis and Marcianus;
The individuals named Baccheius, Tandasis, and Marcianus referenced by Marcus Aurelius in “Meditations” are not extensively documented historical figures outside of Marcus Aurelius’s writings. They were likely his tutors or philosophers who played a role in his education and philosophical development.
Unfortunately, historical records don’t provide much detailed information about these specific individuals. It’s believed that they might have been Stoic philosophers or teachers who influenced Marcus Aurelius during his formative years. Their teachings and guidance could have contributed to his understanding of Stoic philosophy and ethics, which are prominent themes throughout “Meditations.”
to write essays from a young age;
Marcus Aurelius likely emphasised the practice of writing essays from a young age as a means of intellectual development and philosophical exploration. Writing essays would have allowed him to articulate his thoughts, clarify his understanding of philosophical concepts, and develop his ability to express ideas coherently. Meditations perhaps a manifestation of these habits that he formed during his early years. This is also something he would have been taught by the teachers in this passage. He would also have read essays from Seneca, one of his predecessors in Stoicism.
Engaging in essay writing from a young age could have helped Marcus Aurelius refine his critical thinking skills, organize his thoughts, and deepen his understanding of Stoic philosophy. It might have been a way for him to document his reflections, observations, and lessons learned, contributing to his personal growth and philosophical development over time.
Writing essays also serves as a method of self-reflection and self-improvement, enabling the author to explore various viewpoints, challenge their own beliefs, and refine their reasoning — a practice that aligns with the Stoic pursuit of wisdom and self-awareness.
to love the camp-bed, the hide blanket, and all else involved in the Greek training.
Living the life of the emperor, he would have had access to all the comforts of the world, yet gravitated towards the basics which would have allowed him to focus on his development, rather than being distracted by these comforts.
He refers to a simple and austere lifestyle associated with Greek training. The “camp-bed” and “hide blanket” represent basic and minimalistic living conditions, possibly reminiscent of the lifestyle led by ancient Greek philosophers who often lived frugally.
The mention of these items reflects a preference for simplicity and resilience over luxury or comfort. Embracing such modest accommodations suggests a commitment to self-discipline, resilience, and endurance — values commonly associated with Stoic philosophy.
keep yourself simple, good, pure, serious, unpretentious, — Marcus Aurelius
In Stoicism, there’s an emphasis on not being overly attached to material comforts or possessions. Marcus Aurelius, by expressing affection for these Spartan items, likely advocates for the virtues of simplicity and self-reliance, which were central tenets of Stoic teachings. This affection for simplicity underscores his belief in the importance of inner strength and mental fortitude over external comforts or luxuries.
My soul, will you ever be good, simple, individual, bare, brighter than the body that covers you? — Marcus Aurelius
Here is the video in which I discussed this chapter:
Ijaz Pir speaks on philosophy and enterprise. He is also a keynote speaker and guest lecturer at leading British universities and events. If you enjoy this content and would like to support his work, he has a Patreon site where you can donate. You can also donate at Buy Me A Coffee. Don’t forget to join my subscriber list to get access to exclusive and early-release content.
