Begin the morning by saying this

Commentary on Meditations 2.1

Stoicism is a life philosophy. It’s not just a set of life hacks. It involves theory and practice.

In this series on the Meditations, I will bring out both of these elements.

Stoic ideas are essential, but useless without action. Action itself is pointless unless directed.

In this series, we will describe how Marcus Aurelius captured the whole of Stoicism in just a few lines and how his notes to himself offer us tools to become more Stoic.

There are plenty of fine commentaries on Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations. From Chris Gill’s to Robin Waterfield’s to Pierre Hadot’s. There are even more translations. My letters will be influenced by the best of these.

Marcus Aurelius studied, rehearsed, and reflected on philosophy in order to become a better human being. We can use his words to do the same.

Stoicism helped him manage coups, defeat, plague, and betrayal while maintaining friendships and being the best he could be. He wrote these notes to himself near the frontlines of the Marcomannic Wars. His philosophy was essential to governing well.

Whatever you are facing, you can use the same wisdom. You are no Roman emperor. But like Marcus Aurelius, you can use the ideas and techniques of Stoicism to live.

2.1

Begin the morning by saying to yourself I shall meet with the meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, deceitful, envious, and selfish.

All these things happen to them because of their ignorance of good and evil.