Premeditatio Malorum for People
LeadershipExpect to encounter difficult and ungrateful people daily so that their behavior cannot disturb your inner peace or rational action.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Hall of Masters
Marcus Aurelius
마르쿠스 아우렐리우스
Roman emperor and Stoic; author of Meditations
812 records in all
- Principles 254
- Episodes 188
- Quotes 370
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Principles
38 basic records of 254
Principles are our summary of their public statements.
Define a Clear Scope
StrategyAvoid the trap of being busy without a purpose; ensure every effort is directed toward a specific, reasoned goal.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Act According to Nature
ProductivityOne should perform their duties as a human being with the same instinctual focus that bees, ants, and spiders use to perform their natural roles.
Supporting quotes
Others, as many as take pleasure in their trade and profession, can even pine themselves at their works, and neglect their bodies and their food for it
Source Marcus Aurelius Meditations (opens in a new tab)
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Life as Active Wrestling
ResilienceOne should treat life like a wrestling match, staying grounded and ready for unexpected blows rather than expecting a smooth performance.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Maintain Perspective On Time
FocusRemember that human life and worldly success are fleeting moments in the vastness of time. This perspective prevents arrogance during success and despair during failure.
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Strip objects of their vanity
MindsetOne should view luxury items and status symbols as their raw, basic components to avoid being deceived by their apparent glory.
Supporting quotes
Whenever your situation forces trouble upon you, return quickly to yourself, and interrupt the rhythm of life no longer than you are compelled.
Source Marcus Aurelius The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus: A new rendering based on the Foulis translation of 1742 (opens in a new tab)
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Practice Detached Gratitude
WealthValue what you have as if you didn't have it, but avoid becoming so attached that its loss would destroy your peace.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Maintain Intellectual Independence
LeadershipA leader must ensure that the vices or poor decisions of others do not dictate their own internal state or success.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Operate by Established Rules
ManagementAvoid random or haphazard actions by following the proven principles and rules that govern your specific field of work.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Use Accidents for Growth
ResilienceTurn unexpected misfortunes into opportunities to improve character and demonstrate resilience.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Maintain Duty Over Personal Leisure
LeadershipA leader must remain committed to their essential responsibilities even during periods of rest, as the weight of duty cannot be easily set aside.
Self-Correction Over External Judgment
MindsetOne should focus on recognizing their own flaws like avarice or ignorance rather than mocking the obvious defects of others.
Moral Resilience Against Corruption
IntegrityA leader must maintain personal purity and high principles even when surrounded by a culture of cruelty and systemic corruption.
Avoid the Principle of Concession
LeadershipA leader should not be allowed to waste time on frivolous pursuits just to prevent worse behavior, as it undermines their capacity for serious thought.
Maintain Professional Boundaries
IntegrityA leader must separate personal interests from the commonwealth and ensure that no office is won through flattery or bribery.
Internal Approval Over External Praise
LeadershipA leader should seek to win the suffrage of their own inward approval rather than the applause of the crowd. True victory is the conscious mastery over one's own passions and temptations.
Self-Reliance in Character
LeadershipOne must stand erect by their own strength and principles rather than relying on external support or the validation of others to remain upright.
Focus on Direct Action
LeadershipOne should stop debating what a good leader or person is and simply act as one in every situation.
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