Meditations

• Relation to being an upcoming father
• Issues with old Greek Classics being appropriated and cosplayed by right wing internet freaks
• Relation to work and volunteering and side projects
• Gather quotes from book
• Take photo of book with Nikon

I've read *Meditations* before, several times actually. The first was almost certainly in one of my introductory philosophy courses as an undergraduate. Like many books written by older men (we believe Marcus Aurelius was in his late 40s or 50s, nearing the end of his life, when most of it was written), it seems to apply more as I get older.

> You may leave this life at any moment: have this possibility in your mind in all that you do or say or think.

I've never considered myself a Stoic by any strict definition of the term, but I also think that Stoicism has been strongly misunderstood by those familiar with the term but not the writings themselves. Even worse the "Ancient Statue" profile picture on Twitter and other social media communities tends to identify the user as a far-right edgelord freak in the year 2026. It conjures an image of the terminally-online post-adolescent male, the ones hypnotized into off-putting personality degeneration by figures like Andrew Tate. One might picture the stereotypical "man's man" from the 20th century who pushes all emotional deep inside until it bursts. But of course the works themselves, including *Meditations*, present an entirely different picture.

A directing mind, not emotionlessness

> Ask then, what is this which is now making its impression on me? What is it composed of? How long in the nature of things will it last? What virtue is needed to meet it -- gentleness, for example, or courage, truthfulness, loyalty, simplicity, self-sufficiency, and so on?

> First that things cannot touch the mind: they are external and inert; anxieties can only come from your internal judgement. Second, that all these things you see will change almost as you look at them, and then will be no more. Constantly bring to mind all that you yourself have already seen changed. The universe is change; life is judgement.

> No, you do not have thousands of years to live. Urgency is on you. While you live, while you can, become good.

> At break of day, when you are reluctant to get up, have this thought ready to mind: 'I am getting up for a man's work. Do I still then resent it, if I am going out to do what I was born for, the purpose for which I was brought into the world? Or was I created to wrap myself in blankets and keep warm?' 'But this is more pleasant.' Were you then born for pleasure -- all for feeling, not for action?

> They cannot admire you for intellect. Granted -- but there are many other qualities of which you cannot say, 'but that is not the way I am made'. So display those virtues which are wholly in your power -- integrity, dignity, hard work, self-denial, contentment, frugality, kindness, independence, simplicity, discretion, magnanimity. Do you not see how many virtues you can already display without any excuse of lack of talent or aptitude?

> Your mind will take on the character of your most frequent thoughts: souls are dyed by thoughts.

> 'There was a time when I met luck at every turn.' But luck is the good fortune you determine for yourself: and good fortune consists in good inclinations of the soul, good impulses, good actions.

> The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.

> The directing mind is that which wakes itself, adapts itself, makes itself of whatever nature it wishes, and makes all that happens to it appear in the way it wants.

> When circumstances force you to some sort of distress, quickly return to yourself. Do not stay out of rhythm for longer than you must: you will master the harmony the more by constantly going back to it.

> The universal cause is a torrent, sweeping everything in its stream. So, man, what does that mean for you? Do what nature requires at this moment. Start straight away, if that is in your power: don't look over your shoulder to see if people will know.

> A man following reason in all things combines relaxation with initiative, spark with composure.

> All things are short-lived -- this is their common lot -- but you pursue likes and dislikes as if all was fixed for eternity. In a little while you too will close your eyes, and soon there will be others mourning the man who buries you.

> In your fits of anger have this thought ready to mind, that there is nothing manly in being angry, but a gentle calm is both more human and therefore more virile. It is the gentle who have strength, sinew, and courage -- not the indignant and complaining. The closer to control of emotion, the closer to power. Anger is as much a sign of weakness as is pain. Both have been wounded, and have surrendered.