How Stoicism Endures in a Tumultuous World

What do a Roman emperor and a modern high school student have in common? Surprisingly, quite a lot.

When Marcus Aurelius wrote what would eventually become Meditations, he wasn't preparing a public address or a grand speech - he was journaling with the intention of steadying his mind. We know why he was driven to write; he wanted to make sense of the pressures of loss, leadership, and daily irritation. The fact that his words still ring true today is a testament to the shared nature of humanity and our universal struggles.

Bust of a young Marcus Aurelius

This is why I am beginning my Ex Verbis journey with Marcus Aurelius. In an age flooded by anxiety and chaos, Marcus Aurelius's Stoic insights are the perfect way to calm the flow of life. Though Marcus wrote in Greek, the common language of philosophy, as opposed to his native tongue, his Stoic reflections have inspired many with their timeless messages.

Book I of Meditations is essentially a tribute to those who have helped him throughout his life. He shares his gratitude to his grandfather for teaching him character, to his father's reputation for teaching him integrity (he was a child when his father died), to his mother for teaching him to value simplicity, to his tutor for teaching him to push through, and to a long list of mentors who were instrumental in shaping his moral compass.

In today's hyper-individualized culture, people tend to place a large focus upon themselves, but as a result, it's quite rare to see power expressed through humility. But Marcus, with all this power granted to him from a remarkably young age, begins his philosophical journey with acknowledgement rather than an assertion of his power or status. That tells us one of the fundamental principles of Stoicism: it starts not with control or power, but with gratitude. You know what they say, "there's no 'I' in TEAM!"

Personally, reading Book I of Meditations was a reminder that character is not forged in isolation; it is nurtured by others. Before we fortify the citadel within, we must first honor the builders who helped lay its foundation.

Book II opens with a jolt: "When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly." Rather than denying his reality and anxiously despairing the day ahead of him, Marcus urges us to accept these truths (here, "you" refers to Marcus himself; although, this has the unique effect of making it sound like Marcus's words are directed toward us). This line reminds us that while others might get in our way throughout the day, we ought to act out of principle.

Stoicism doesn't ask us to detach from life fully, but to fortify our inner citadel. For a high school student navigating the pressures of school and personal expectations, this idea resonates deeply. There is strength in detachment - not from others, but from their judgments.

Our generation lives in a time where an overwhelming amount of information and choice is just one button away. Stoicism offers a counterbalance: focus on what you can control, accept what you cannot, and strive for moral clarity.

This doesn’t mean that we ought to suppress our emotions. We should be actively refining our emotions and character. Marcus teaches that feelings should work alongside reason, not rule it entirely. And perhaps that’s the greatest act of rebellion in our emotionally charged age: to pause, breathe, and reflect.

As I continue this journey through the wisdom of ancient worlds, I will make sure to keep Marcus’s words in mind. After I finish Meditations, I plan to expand my philosophical insights eastward, into Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic philosophical novels, and into the spiritual battlefield of the Bhagavad Gita, where another warrior wrestles with duty and doubt.

Until then, I’ll return to this thought:

"Don't waste the rest of your time here worrying about other people—unless it affects the common good. It will keep you from doing anything useful." - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book III, Entry 4

In an age where comparison and distraction are constant temptations, this is a universal reminder to focus inward. Act with purpose, and live in accordance with your own philosophy.