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Endurance, Simplicity, and Detachment
The importance of remaining neutral in politics, avoiding partisanship, and focusing on our own personal growth and virtues.
The Stoa
April 04, 2023
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Marcus Aurelius | Meditations 1:2
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Meditation 1:2 by Marcus Aurelius
From my governor, to be neither of the green nor of the blue party at the games in the Circus, nor a partisan either of the Parmularius or the Scutarius at the gladiators’ fights; from him too I learned endurance of labor, and to want little, and to work with my own hands, and not to meddle with other people’s affairs, and not to be ready to listen to slander.
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Today's passage from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" is a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining neutral in politics, avoiding partisanship, and focusing on our own personal growth and virtues.
Marcus credits his governor for teaching him many important values, including the virtue of neutrality at public events like the games in the Circus. The green and blue teams were the two factions that dominated the games, and supporting one team or the other was seen as a way to express one's political allegiance. However, Marcus' governor advised him to remain neutral, neither supporting one team nor the other, so as to avoid getting swept up in the passions of the crowd and instead focus on the game itself.
This advice is just as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome. With politics becoming more polarized and divisive, it can be tempting to take sides and join the fray. However, as Stoics, we should remember that our ultimate goal is to cultivate inner peace and tranquility, not to win arguments or support a particular political agenda. By remaining neutral and not getting swept up in the passions of the crowd, we can maintain our rationality and focus on what truly matters.
In addition to the virtue of neutrality, Marcus' governor also taught him the virtues of endurance and self-sufficiency. By learning to endure labor and want little, Marcus developed a resilience and inner strength that allowed him to face life's challenges with equanimity. He also learned to work with his own hands and not to rely on others for his livelihood, developing a sense of self-sufficiency and independence that allowed him to be self-reliant and free from the constant desire for more.
Finally, Marcus' governor taught him the importance of avoiding gossip and slander. By not meddling in other people's affairs and not being ready to listen to slander, Marcus was able to cultivate trust and goodwill among those around him. Instead of wasting his time and energy on negative talk and rumors, he was able to focus on building positive relationships and contributing to the common good.
So let us take inspiration from Marcus Aurelius' governor and strive to embody the virtues of endurance, self-sufficiency, neutrality, and kindness in our daily lives. By focusing on our own personal growth and cultivating inner peace and tranquility, we can build a better world, one day at a time.
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