Marcus Aurelius--Meditations
Plato said that, in an ideal society, the philosophers would be the kings, or the kings would be philosophers. Marcus Aurelius in some ways would seem to be exactly the kind of "philosopher emperor" Plato would have wanted. Please read the opening sections of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Choose a line that particularly well shows one of the things Aurelius particularly values, and note whether this value would make him a good emperor or not.
posted by Ancient Art at 9:07 AM
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"In my father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things which he had determined after due deliberation; and no vainglory in those things which men call honours; and a love of labour and perseverance; and a readiness to listen to those who had anything to propose for the common weal; and undeviating firmness in giving to every man according to his deserts; and a knowledge derived from experience of the occasions for vigorous action and for remission."
I think this value, quoted above, would make anyone a good emperor and especially a better person. An emperor who does not easily lose his temper is less likely to be a tyrant and is less likely to use his power to get rid of those who speak ill of him. Also a person who shows humility is usually a good leader. Marcus says that ne should not seek glory in the things he does. Such glory-seeking makes a person vain, arrogant, and full of pride. But a person who does things not for glory, but for the good of the people he seves is a quality lacking in many world leaders and people who serve in public office. And here we have Marcus, the emperor of Rome, promoting humuility and the good of the people he governs over what will give him reknown and glory. Marcus was also a believer in perseverance, which is a good quality in people. Too many people are willing to give, especially when they receive harsh criticism for their actions. Now, sometimes that sort of criticsm is well deserved, especially when you are caught committing a moral wrong, i.e. murder, rape, thievery. But sometimes people receive harsh criticism that they did not deserve, but because they are criticized, they cease doing what they had started. For instance, I'm sure Washington was criticized many times because of his constant defeats in battle against the British, but if had given up his post as Commander of the Army, the United States might not exist today. Perseverance in a leader is good. And listening to the people you serve and doing what is right for the people you serve, and not what will get you riches and benefit only you is a good quality as well. Too many political leaders care about what will benefit them and help their political career, instead of what is good for the people they serve, the people who put them in office.
"14. From my brother Severus, to love my kin, and to love truth, and to love justice; and through him I learned to know Thrasea, Helvidius, Cato, Dion, Brutus; and from him I received the idea of a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed; I learned from him also consistency and undeviating steadiness in my regard for philosophy, and a disposition to do good, and to give to others readily, and to cherish good hopes, and to believe that I am loved by my friends; and in him I observed no concealment of his opinions with respect to those whom he condemned, and that his friends had no need to conjecture what he wished or did not wish, but it was quite plain."
Marcus Aurelius was a leader that wanted to administer the law fairly and justly. He sought to treat people equally and allow those that disagree to voice their opinions. Aurelius is a man of principles who doesn't hide anything from his friends or his citizens. He is also guided by his convictions that his beliefs are right and devotes himself to doing his duty to care for his citizens.
"From my Grandfather Verus [I learned] good morals and the government of my temper."
I think this is one of the most important things and perhaps that is why it is listed first. Good morals is always a great thing in a leader. If the leader has good morals it is a better possibility that the people under them will be the same way and society will be that much better because of it. Also a ruler with a control on his temper is also a very good thing. If a ruler can control his temper than their is a better chance that decisions will be made more on facts than on just emotion. Emotional rulers tend to lead to innocent people dying. With out these two qualities a ruler would not be all that affective
"From my brother Severus, to love my kin, and to love truth, and to love justice; and through him I learned to know Thrasea, Helvidius, Cato, Dion, Brutus; and from him I received the idea of a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed"
I chose this passage because it demonstrates the best examples of the values of a democracy. I believe an emperor needs to allow for a degree of freedom of speech and ideas. This will in turn gain the respect of the people. If an emperor does not have the respect of the people he has no chance of ruling them.
First I think it is interesting that the he starts with the people closest to him, and the most simple and basic principles of good character- and from there he expands to an extended venue of people and a much more specific set of principles.
15. "From Maximus I learned self-government, and not to be led aside by anything; and cheerfulness in all circumstances, as well as in illness; and a just admixture in the moral character of sweetness and dignity, and to do what was set before me without complaining. I observed that everybody believed that he thought as he spoke, and that in all that he did he never had any bad intention; and he never showed amazement and surprise, and was never in a hurry, and never put off doing a thing, nor was perplexed nor dejected, nor did he ever laugh to disguise his vexation, nor, on the other hand, was he ever passionate or suspicious."
Marcus A. showed a great amount of favoritism to the man, Maximus. Most of the people at this point are respected for ruling and powerful characteristics, but oddly enough Maximus is respected for compassion, cheerfulness, a lack of busy-ness, and being genuine. He goes on to talk about his forgiving nature and his generous nature- in which he did acts of kindness.
I think with a role model such as the man he described above, Marcus has a very good chance of becoming a wonderful Emperor... that is, if he choses to follow.
7. From Rusticus I received the impression that my character required improvement and discipline; and from him I learned not to be led astray to sophistic emulation, nor to writing on speculative matters, nor to delivering little hortatory orations, nor to showing myself off as a man who practises much discipline, or does benevolent acts in order to make a display; and to abstain from rhetoric, and poetry, and fine writing; and not to walk about in the house in my outdoor dress, nor to do other things of the kind; and to write my letters with simplicity, like the letter which Rusticus wrote from Sinuessa to my mother; and with respect to those who have offended me by words, or done me wrong, to be easily disposed to be pacified and reconciled, as soon as they have shown a readiness to be reconciled, and to read carefully, and not to be satisfied with a superficial understanding of a book; nor hastily to give my assent to those who talk overmuch; and I am indebted to him for being acquainted with the discourses of Epictetus, which he communicated to me out of his own collection.
There were very many good qualities in all the readings. I chose this one because, for the others to work, a person needs self-disciplne. If you are undisciplined in your own beliefs and actions, everything will follow the same path and you will be doomed to failure.
"From Apollonius I learned freedom of will and undeviating steadiness of purpose; and to look to nothing else, not even for a moment, except to reason; and to be always the same in sharp pains..."
I think that this value could be good or bad. When he says "undeviating steadiness of purpose" in particular, it makes me think that a person could use this as an excuse for any action that was taken to reach the "purpose", no matter who it affected or how it affected others.
When I began reading Meditations, it seemed to me very similar to some of Solomon’s Proverbs. Perhaps he was a philosopher king.
“1. FROM my grandfather Verus [I learned] good morals and the government of my temper. 1 2. From the reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty and a manly character. 2 3. From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts; and further simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich. 3 4. From my great-grandfather, not to have frequented public schools, and to have had good teachers at home, and to know that on such things a man should spend liberally. ETC”
Aurelius explains to the readers where he attained his fine qualities. I think that as long as Marcus Aurelius practiced what he preached, he made a fine Emperor. To be honest, he sounds much better than any of the other Emperors of Rome, because he is practicing edification and not self gratification like all the rest. This type of character is very inspiring to me, so far perhaps Marius (with the exception of his old age rampage), or Claudius were probably the Emperors with the best Character in my opinion, but it seems to me that Marcus Aurelius has surpassed their integrity. Leaders like this are exciting!!!
-Nate Mills
15. From Maximus I learned self-government, and not to be led aside by anything; and cheerfulness in all circumstances, as well as in illness; and a just admixture in the moral character of sweetness and dignity, and to do what was set before me without complaining.
The virtue of doing things without complaining about them is a great virtue. But not being persuaded to change your mind and being cheerful while making tough decisions is an even greater virtue. Marcus Aurelius believes that a person should do the things that need to be done, even if the task will not be easy. By not complaining and keeping a positive outlook on the situation a person not only helps himself but affects everyone around him for the better. Aurelius adopted this virtue and that made him a great and competent emperor.
From Apollonius I learned freedom of will and undeviating steadiness of purpose; and to look to nothing else, not even for a moment, except to reason; and to be always the same in sharp pains, on the occasion of the loss of a child, and in long illness; and to see clearly in a living example that the same man can be both most resolute and yielding, and not peevish in giving his instruction; and to have had before my eyes a man who clearly considered his experience and his skill in expounding philosophical principles as the smallest of his merits; and from him I learned how to receive from friends what are esteemed favours, without being either humbled by them or letting them pass unnoticed.
This to me shows that he would be able to keep on task. to be free to make his own decisions and to not be unduely influenced by others. to look to reason as the guide no matter when or what happens. and that would make for a good trait in a leader
Every moment think steadily as a Roman and a man to do what thou hast in hand with perfect and simple dignity, and feeling of affection, and freedom, and justice; and to give thyself relief from all other thoughts. And thou wilt give thyself relief, if thou doest every act of thy life as if it were the last, laying aside all carelessness and passionate aversion from the commands of reason, and all hypocrisy, and self-love, and discontent with the portion which has been given to thee. Thou seest how few the things are, the which if a man lays hold of, he is able to live a life which flows in quiet, and is like the existence of the gods; for the gods on their part will require nothing more from him who observes these things.
I think this is a very good example of what Plato wanted. A man that would live everyday to the best of his potential and be positively balanced in doing so. Plato saw that if an emperor was a philosopher, he would be able to understand more than subtle facts and be able to look into what people want and more so need out of their leader and gov't.
Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee. While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.
he says be good because you never know when death will come for you it is always there. Live life to the fullest and live it the best you can. this makes him a good empiror because people follow by example and if he values being good therefore that would make him a good emperor
"From Diognetus, not to busy myself about trifling things." I believe that this line would help Marcus Aurelius in being a postive emperor. Leaders must always concern themselves with the big picture and must focus on the most important tasks and ideas. If one lets himself get bogged down in trivial matters, then he cannot focus on the other important tasks which require much more concentration and thought. Therefore, I believe that Marcus Aurelius ability not to worry about trivial matters was a positive quality that helped him in his leadership.
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