Alexander the Great and his mule driver both died and the same thing happened to both. They were absorbed alike into the life force of the world, or dissolved alike into atoms.
Meditations 6.24
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the impermanence of all things, including human life. In Meditations 6.24, Marcus Aurelius notes that "Alexander the Great and his mule driver both died" and the same fate awaits all. This passage reveals that, despite differences in status or achievement, we are all subject to the same fundamental realities.
This insight encourages us to reevaluate our priorities and values. It reminds us that external distinctions, such as wealth or power, are ultimately insignificant in the face of mortality. As Marcus Aurelius suggests, we are all "absorbed alike into the life force of the world, or dissolved alike into atoms." This equality in death can help us cultivate a sense of humility and detachment from worldly status.
To apply this insight today, one might reflect on their own values and priorities. Ask yourself: What truly matters to me? Am I focusing on things that will ultimately be stripped away, or am I cultivating inner strength, wisdom, and virtue? By acknowledging the impermanence of all things, we can redirect our attention toward what is truly essential and within our control.
As you go about your day, consider how this passage might influence your actions and decisions. Will you be driven by a desire for external validation, or will you strive to act with integrity and virtue, regardless of the outcome? Remember, it is not the external trappings of success that define us, but rather our character and the choices we make.