For Marcus Aurelius, virtue is not an abstraction — it is the daily work of becoming a better person. Throughout the Meditations, he returns to the same question: Am I living up to the standard? Am I acting with wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control? He does not claim to have mastered these virtues. He practices them, falls short, and tries again. That honesty is what makes his writing so powerful. Below are the passages where he speaks most directly about what virtue means and why it matters more than anything else.
In "Meditations," Marcus Aurelius places a strong emphasis on the importance of virtue. For the Stoics, virtue is the highest good and the foundation of a fulfilling life. Marcus Aurelius believed that cultivating virtues such as justice, wisdom, courage, and self-control is essential for living well.
Virtue, in the Stoic tradition, is not merely about moral rectitude but about aligning one's actions and thoughts with the natural order of the universe. It involves living in accordance with reason and nature, recognizing that our true happiness comes from within rather than from external circumstances.
Marcus Aurelius encourages us to focus on our character and actions rather than on external rewards or recognition. He writes, "Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one." This quote underscores the importance of embodying virtue rather than merely discussing it.
The pursuit of virtue requires self-discipline and a commitment to continuous self-improvement. It involves cultivating habits that foster wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. By doing so, we can develop a strong moral compass that guides our actions and decisions.
Moreover, virtue is not just about personal growth but also about our interactions with others. Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness, compassion, and fairness. He reminds us that our actions have consequences and that we should strive to act in ways that benefit both ourselves and others.
In a world often driven by external validation and material success, the Stoic emphasis on virtue offers a refreshing perspective. It reminds us that true fulfillment comes from within, from the cultivation of a virtuous character and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
By focusing on virtue, we can navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and integrity. We learn to prioritize what truly matters and to act in ways that align with our deepest values. This Stoic wisdom encourages us to live with purpose, compassion, and a deep sense of moral responsibility.
Marcus Aurelius writes, "The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts." This quote highlights the importance of cultivating virtuous thoughts and actions. By doing so, we can transform our character and lead a life that is truly meaningful and fulfilling.
In summary, Marcus Aurelius' teachings on the importance of virtue offer a profound perspective on leading a life of purpose and integrity. By cultivating virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control, we can navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and a deep sense of purpose. This Stoic philosophy reminds us that true fulfillment comes from within, from the cultivation of a virtuous character and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
What the Stoics Said
If, at some point in your life, you should come across anything better than justice, honesty, self-control, courage—than a mind satisfied that it has succeeded in enabling you to act rationally, and satisfied to accept what’s beyond its control—if you find anything better than that, embrace it without reservations—it must be an extraordinary thing indeed—and enjoy it to the full.
But if nothing presents itself that’s superior to the spirit that lives within—the one that has subordinated individual desires to itself, that discriminates among impressions, that has broken free of physical temptations (as Socrates used to say), and subordinated itself to the gods, and looks out for human beings’ welfare—if you find that there’s nothing more important or valuable than that …
… then don’t make room for anything but it—for anything that might lead you astray, tempt you off the road, and leave you unable to devote yourself completely to achieving the goodness that is uniquely yours. It would be wrong for anything to stand between you and attaining goodness—as a rational being and a citizen. Anything at all: the applause of the crowd, high office, wealth, or self-indulgence. All of them might seem to be compatible with it—for a while. But suddenly they control us and sweep us away.
So make your choice straightforwardly, once and for all, and stick to it. Choose what’s best.
—Best is what benefits me.
As a rational being? Then follow through. Or just as an animal? Then say so and stand your ground without making a show of it. (Just make sure you’ve done your homework first.)
Meditations 3.6
Integrity and manliness.
Meditations 1.2
If an action or utterance is appropriate, then it’s appropriate for you. Don’t be put off by other people’s comments and criticism. If it’s right to say or do it, then it’s the right thing for you to do or say.
The others obey their own lead, follow their own impulses. Don’t be distracted. Keep walking. Follow your own nature, and follow Nature—along the road they share.
Meditations 5.3
Character and self-control.
Meditations 1.1
That every event is the right one. Look closely and you’ll see.
Not just the right one overall, but right. As if someone had weighed it out with scales.
Keep looking closely like that, and embody it in your actions: goodness—what defines a good person.
Keep to it in everything you do.
Meditations 4.10
‘But difficult and disagreeable things happen in life.’ Well, aren’t difficulties found at Olympia? Don’t you get hot? And crowded? Isn’t bathing a problem? Don’t you get soaked through in your seats when it rains? Don’t you finally get sick of the noise, the shouting and the other irritations? [27] I can only suppose that you weigh all those negatives against the worth of the show, and choose, in the end, to be patient and put up with it all. [28] Furthermore, you have inner strengths that enable you to bear up with difficulties of every kind. You have been given fortitude, courage and patience. [29] Why should I worry about what happens if I am armed with the virtue of fortitude? Nothing can trouble or upset me, or even seem annoying. Instead of meeting misfortune with groans and tears, I will call upon the faculty especially provided to deal with it.
Discourses 1.6.26
Consider at what price you sell your integrity; but please, for God’s sake, don’t sell it cheap. The grand gesture, the ultimate sacrifice – that, perhaps, belongs to others, to people of Socrates’ class. [34] ‘But if we are endowed by nature with the potential for greatness, why do only some of us achieve it?’ Well, do all horses become stallions? Are all dogs greyhounds? [35] Even if I lack the talent, I will not abandon the effort on that account. [36] Epictetus will not be better than Socrates. But if I am no worse, I am satisfied. [37] I mean, I will never be Milo either; nevertheless, I don’t neglect my body. Nor will I be another Croesus – and still, I don’t neglect my property. In short, we do not abandon any discipline for despair of ever being the best in it.
Discourses 1.2.33
The essence of good and evil consists in the condition of our character. [2] And externals are the means by which our character finds its particular good and evil. [3] It finds its good by not attaching value to the means. Correct judgements about externals make our character good, as perverse or distorted ones make it bad.
Discourses 1.29.1
One person does not notice a contradiction in his reasoning; he is unfortunate. Another person notices it, all right, but does not budge and does not back down; he is even more unfortunate. [9] His sense of honour and truthfulness has been excised, and his reason – not excised, but brutalized. Am I to call this strength of character? I can’t – any more than I can apply the same name to the ‘strength’ of degenerates that enables them to say and do in public whatever they please.
Discourses 1.5.8
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Marcus Aurelius say about virtue?
Marcus Aurelius says that virtue is the only thing worth pursuing. Everything else — health, wealth, fame, pleasure — is indifferent compared to the quality of your character. He writes that a good person is one who acts with justice, wisdom, courage, and self-control in every situation, regardless of what it costs them. In Meditations 3.6, he challenges himself: if you ever find anything better than justice, honesty, self-control, and courage, embrace it — but he is confident nothing better exists.
What are the 4 virtues of Marcus Aurelius?
Marcus Aurelius inherited the four cardinal virtues from the Stoic tradition: Wisdom (the ability to see clearly and judge well), Justice (treating others fairly and fulfilling your duties), Courage (doing what is right despite difficulty, pain, or fear), and Temperance (self-control and moderation in all things). He did not treat these as separate categories but as aspects of one unified excellence of character. Every situation calls for some combination of all four.
How did Marcus Aurelius practice virtue?
Marcus Aurelius practiced virtue through daily self-examination. The Meditations is his practice journal — written not for publication but for himself, as a tool for becoming better. He would remind himself of principles each morning, test his actions against them during the day, and review his conduct each evening. He wrote about specific challenges: controlling his temper, treating difficult people with fairness, not being corrupted by imperial power, staying focused on duty rather than comfort.
What is the paradox of virtue?
The Stoic paradox of virtue is that virtue is both necessary and sufficient for happiness. This means a wise and just person is happy even in poverty or prison, while a wealthy tyrant is miserable despite having everything. Marcus Aurelius tested this idea against his own experience as emperor: having unlimited power and wealth did not make him happy. What gave his life meaning was acting rightly, serving others, and maintaining his integrity. Epictetus, who lived in poverty, taught the same thing from the opposite direction.
What is virtue according to Epictetus?
Epictetus defines virtue as the correct use of impressions — making right judgments and acting on them. For Epictetus, virtue is not something you have but something you do: it is the continuous practice of using your reason well. He teaches that every moment presents a choice: respond with virtue or with vice. Virtue means examining your impressions, fulfilling your roles (as parent, citizen, friend), and treating every person as a fellow rational being deserving of respect.
Why is virtue more important than success?
Marcus Aurelius argues that success without virtue is worthless because external achievements can be taken away at any moment, while character remains. He points to history: powerful people are forgotten, empires crumble, fortunes vanish. What endures is the example of a person who lived well — justly, wisely, courageously. Epictetus goes further: pursuing external success at the expense of virtue is the fundamental human error. You gain the world but lose yourself. The Stoics teach that virtue is success — everything else is a footnote.