Marcus Aurelius
Archetype: Quietist of Destiny
121 to 180 · Rome and the frontiers of the Roman Empire
“You have power over your mind, not over events.”
Do you think like Marcus Aurelius? Answer 44 to 132 statements and find out who, among 130 thinkers, has the way of thinking closest to yours.
Who was Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius was emperor of Rome and spent much of his reign on military campaigns at the frontiers. In his spare hours, he wrote reflections to himself in Greek, which became known as the Meditations. The text shows a powerful man trying to be just, humble and serene, and it became a classic of practical wisdom.
Core ideas
- We should accept with serenity what happens, for it is part of the order of the universe
- All human beings are part of one rational community
- Life is short, and each day should be lived with virtue and a sense of duty
The tradition: Stoic
A Stoic seeks virtue and inner peace by accepting what he cannot control. Marcus Aurelius shows Stoicism practiced by the man with the greatest power in the world.
In the same tradition: Seneca, Epictetus
Learn more: Wikipedia
Books by Marcus Aurelius
Three ways in. Start with the first.
Where Marcus Aurelius stands on the 11 axes
Each axis runs from the first pole (−1) to the second (+1). These are the positions the test compares with your answers.
