Even Marcus Aurelius Did This

Marcus Aurelius was seen leaving the palace as an old man.

Where are you going? He was asked.

“I’m off to see Sextus the philosopher,” he said, “to learn that which I do not yet know.”

It was remarkable, they said of him, that this wise, powerful man was still taking up his tablets and going to school like a kid.

This is rare enough, but rarer still is the kind of person at that age who is still learning the lessons that life is teaching them.

People say they love learning.

And sure, they pick up books, go to museums, and watch documentaries, and yes, they sit through their college courses.

But this is only superficial evidence of a true student.

We like it when it comes neatly packaged in a book or in a YouTube video.

But everything else?

We ignore that.

How many of us are actively looking at models (as Seneca said, choosing ourselves a Cato) and being instructed by their example as we face new situations? How often are our beliefs changing, being updated to fit new information as it is provided by what we witness and undergo?

This is a trait of the few.

Understand: If you had the information you needed, your life would have already changed. Since you are still looking for answers, this means you need information that is currently not available to you.

Learning is so much more than what happens in books, so much more than just facts and figures. It’s more than just what we seek out or want to hear.

The Stoics laid the foundation for you to follow.

You have the moral letters from Seneca…

The powerful Discourses and Enchiridion by Epictetus…

And the journey of the most powerful man ever to live.

Like, what else do you want?

It’s already plenty enough to transform your mind into a fortress.

Just start somewhere, just do something.

And I’m always here to discuss with you and offer further resources and insights if need be.

Thank you.

Said The Stoic