“To harvest life like standing stalks of grain. Grown and cut down in turn.”
Meditations 7.40
Stoic Sage
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Today’s reflection
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the impermanence of life and the importance of living in accordance with nature. In Meditations 7.40, Marcus Aurelius writes, "To harvest life like standing stalks of grain. Grown and cut down in turn." This passage reveals that life is fleeting and that everything has its season.
This insight can be applied today by recognizing that our time is limited and that we should make the most of it. As Marcus Aurelius suggests, we should strive to live in harmony with the natural order of things, accepting that growth and decay are inevitable.
To live well, one might focus on cultivating inner strength, wisdom, and virtue, rather than getting caught up in external events or desires. Today, someone could apply this insight by prioritizing what is truly important, letting go of distractions, and living in the present moment.
As you reflect on this passage, consider: What is one thing you can do today to align your actions with the natural flow of life, and to make the most of the time you have?