Search and explore the words of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus — over 1,400 curated passages from the Meditations, Discourses, Enchiridion, Fragments and Seneca’s essays, with AI-powered explanations.
Today’s reflection
Have you noticed how professionals will meet the man on the street halfway but without compromising the logos of their trade? Should we as humans feel less responsibility to our logos than builders or pharmacists do? A logos we share with the divine?
Meditations 6.35
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the importance of adhering to one's principles and values, much like professionals do in their respective trades. In Meditations 6.35, Marcus Aurelius highlights the responsibility to uphold one's "logos," or reason, which is shared with the divine. This passage reveals that living well involves being mindful of and committed to one's values and principles, just as a builder or pharmacist would be to their craft.
This insight can be applied today by recognizing that our actions and decisions should align with our values and principles. As Marcus Aurelius suggests, we should strive to meet the demands of our daily lives without compromising our integrity or the principles that guide us. This might involve taking a moment to reflect on what is truly important to us and ensuring that our actions are in line with those values.
In practical terms, someone could apply this insight today by asking themselves: "What are the principles that I want to uphold in my interactions and decisions, and am I staying true to them?" By doing so, they can cultivate a sense of responsibility and integrity, much like the professionals mentioned in the passage. As Marcus Aurelius implies, this is essential for living a life that is in harmony with our values and principles, and ultimately, with the divine.
What is one principle that you feel is essential to uphold in your life, and how can you ensure that you stay true to it today?