Marcus Aurelius - Meditations

“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.”

That's a philosophy I have always felt attracted to. Thanks for that, Marcus; got any more tips?

Sure, Nigel, Try these.

"A cucumber is bitter. Throw it away. There are briars in the road. Turn aside from them. This is enough. Do not add, 'And why were such things made in the world'?"

You are so right about cucumbers. Tasteless and devoid of any nutritional value. Beloved of the upper classes in crustless sandwiches. 

"Whatever happens to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time. The twining strands of fate wove both of them together: your own existence and the things that happen to you."

Oh, so there is no point agonising about Arsenal's defence against Liverpool tomorrow?

"In your actions, don't procrastinate. In your conversations, don't confuse. In your thoughts, don't wander. In your soul, don't be passive or aggressive. In your life, don't be all about business."

Could you please mention this to Boris? His government's guidance on the virus has left me confused and bemused. It's OK to go to crowded pubs but I have to wear a face mask when I'm in an almost empty Lidl? Where's the consistency?

"A person who doesn't know what the universe is, doesn't know who they are. A person who doesn't know their purpose in life doesn't know who they are or what the universe is. A person who doesn't know any of these things doesn't know why they are here. So what to make of people who seek or avoid the praise of those who have no knowledge of where or who they are?"

Mm. Could you stick to some practical advice?

"When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own—not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine."

Hey Marcus, you sure meet with some awful people.

"Keep this thought handy when you feel a bit of rage coming on--it isn't manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. A real person doesn't give way to anger and discontent, and such a person has strength, courage, and endurance--unlike the angry and complaining. The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength."

OK, I'll definitely do this when I'm driving. Thanks a bunch for all these thoughts; you've made my day more meaningful.

You're welcome. I hope this helps.

Yours,

Marcus