Name: Marcus Aurelius

Time Period: 121 -- 180

Quote: "How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it."

Brief Description: Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, otherwise known as Marcus Aurelius was one of the most respected Roman emperors in history. At one time we was "king of the world", as Ethel Diamond says in her book Aristotle Would Have Liked Oprah. Marcus Aurelius is said to have been a peaceful and humble person despite his vast power. He devoted himself to the study of law and philosophy, especially Stoicism. This philosophy gave Marcus Aurelius, and other Stoics, a sense of being and gave them direction find to 'the good life'. Stoicism promoted honesty, courage, and discipline.

Current Relevance:  While Stoicism does promote honesty, courage, discipline, as well as other important concepts, you do not have to be a Stoic or a Roman emperor to learn from Marcus Aurelius's life. Though he was at one time the most powerful man in the world, he remained humble. Many times in our own society today we have a tendency to become power hungry or become "out of hand" when given a degree of power. By using his beliefs to keep him humbled, he was a good and happy man. He teaches us that no matter what situation you are in, you can be happy, and that the situation you are in does not matter- only your reaction to it does.
 

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