The Clog from OzMarcus Aurelius on the intrinsic quality of things
August 17th 2008 11:01
'Look beneath the surface: never let a thing's intrinsic quality or worth escape you.'
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.) wrote his famous Meditations during his campaigns against the barbarians. This is of course a most unlikely scene for such well-thought reflections, and it is even more remarkable if you consider how composed and nuanced his ideas are, characteristic for the Stoic school in philosophy he was part of.
The Meditations is one of the books I usually advise those who like to get into philosophy but don't know where to start. I am not saying too much when I say that this great little book can easily move you through a day that initially dreaded you for its boredom, routine, annoyance or sheer madness you were going to find on your way. Read a few of Marcus Aurelius' thoughts before you go to sleep or before you go to work, use a little click inside of your head whenever you think you might lose the plot because of the 'interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will or selfishness' (Book 2; 1) you undoubtedly will find on your path sometime during the day or night. Really, there is no better remedy for the soul than the Meditations.
I just came across the above quote and it struck me because in everyday life I see so many examples of the opposite. People are hardly willing to look beneath the surface when they meet not just a thing, but also a new person or an unfamiliar situation. The attractive element in refraining from looking beneath the surface lies in the short term gain; the - very human - fascination for gossip that prevents you from making your own opinion of a situation or person, and the desire to belong to a larger group. However, in the end all are losers if you stick to this routine, as it mostly creates negativity upon negativity.
I say this based upon my own experience, but I'm sure many readers know what I am talking about. Of course you can rely on your first impression if experience has shown that you will gain a lot by doing so, but don't let your ideas be distracted by what others think. Above all; follow Marcus Aurelius' words and try to look beneath the surface; you'll be amazed at what you may find.
The Meditations are easily available through Penguin Classics.
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.) wrote his famous Meditations during his campaigns against the barbarians. This is of course a most unlikely scene for such well-thought reflections, and it is even more remarkable if you consider how composed and nuanced his ideas are, characteristic for the Stoic school in philosophy he was part of.
The Meditations is one of the books I usually advise those who like to get into philosophy but don't know where to start. I am not saying too much when I say that this great little book can easily move you through a day that initially dreaded you for its boredom, routine, annoyance or sheer madness you were going to find on your way. Read a few of Marcus Aurelius' thoughts before you go to sleep or before you go to work, use a little click inside of your head whenever you think you might lose the plot because of the 'interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will or selfishness' (Book 2; 1) you undoubtedly will find on your path sometime during the day or night. Really, there is no better remedy for the soul than the Meditations.
I just came across the above quote and it struck me because in everyday life I see so many examples of the opposite. People are hardly willing to look beneath the surface when they meet not just a thing, but also a new person or an unfamiliar situation. The attractive element in refraining from looking beneath the surface lies in the short term gain; the - very human - fascination for gossip that prevents you from making your own opinion of a situation or person, and the desire to belong to a larger group. However, in the end all are losers if you stick to this routine, as it mostly creates negativity upon negativity.
I say this based upon my own experience, but I'm sure many readers know what I am talking about. Of course you can rely on your first impression if experience has shown that you will gain a lot by doing so, but don't let your ideas be distracted by what others think. Above all; follow Marcus Aurelius' words and try to look beneath the surface; you'll be amazed at what you may find.
The Meditations are easily available through Penguin Classics.
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