Ideas of Marcus Aurelius, by Theme

[Roman, 121 - 180, Born in Spain. Taught by Fronto. Emperor of Rome. Died in Rome.]

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1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 2. Wise People

3067	A philosopher should have principles ready for understanding, like a surgeon with instruments
	Full Idea: As physicians have always their instruments and knives ready for cases which suddenly require their skill, so should you have principles ready for the understanding of things divine and human.
	From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 3.13)
	A reaction: Nice. Philosophy is the training ground where wisdom and good living are made possible, but it cannot be a substitute for living.

7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 1. Nature of Change

3072	Everything is changing, including yourself and the whole universe
	Full Idea: All things are changing; and you yourself are in continuous mutation and in a manner in continuous destruction, and the whole universe too.
	From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 9.19)

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / k. Ethics from nature

3066	Nothing is evil which is according to nature
	Full Idea: Nothing is evil which is according to nature.
	From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 2.17)
	A reaction: A bit hopeful. Sounds tautological. I.e. anything which is agreed to be evil is probably immediately labelled as 'unnatural'. What would he agree was evil?

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure

3071	Justice has no virtue opposed to it, but pleasure has temperance opposed to it
	Full Idea: In the constitution of the rational animal I see no virtue which is opposed to justice; but I see a virtue which is opposed to pleasure, and that is temperance.
	From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 8.39)
	A reaction: There are plenty of hideous things opposed to justice, but presumably that immediately disqualifies them from being virtues.

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / b. Living naturally

3069	The art of life is more like the wrestler's than the dancer's
	Full Idea: The art of life is more like the wrestler's than the dancer's.
	From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 7.61)

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / a. Human distinctiveness

3065	Humans are naturally made for co-operation
	Full Idea: We are made for cooperation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of upper and lower teeth. To act against one another, then, is contrary to nature.
	From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 2.1)