Marcus Aurelius: On Humility and Duty (2019)
Marcus Aurelius promotes humility and selfless actions for the common good, emphasizing duty over recognition, as illustrated by WWII veterans, highlighting the importance of community and cooperation in Stoic philosophy.
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Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of humility and duty in his philosophy, advocating for selfless actions that benefit others without seeking external validation. In a world increasingly driven by ego and the desire for recognition, he suggests that individuals should perform good deeds simply because it is the right thing to do, akin to how nature operates without expectation of reward. The Stoics believed that humans are inherently social beings, thriving through cooperation and collective efforts. This perspective is illustrated through the example of World War II veterans, who acted out of a sense of duty rather than for fame. Humility, according to Aurelius, is a virtue that involves recognizing one's own abilities and being content without comparison to others. The essence of his message is to encourage individuals to fulfill their responsibilities with honor and integrity, focusing on the act itself rather than the accolades that may follow.
- Marcus Aurelius advocates for selfless actions for the sake of doing good.
- The Stoic philosophy emphasizes the importance of community and cooperation.
- Humility is portrayed as a strength, not a weakness.
- Good deeds should be performed without expectation of recognition or reward.
- The example of WWII veterans illustrates the value of duty over personal gain.
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3 commentsRegardless, it’s a great topic and I think there’s a lot to take from it even if a lot of nuance is trimmed.
There’s nothing that fulfills me more than being useful and I suppose pro-social towards the people in my life. I think stoicism really nails how essential and innate this is to living a good life (for most people). There’s arguably something insidious and corroding about treating pro-sociality as a commodity you need to be rewarded for.
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