Marcus Aurelius on Pragmatism

I’ve been reading “The Daily Stoic” for the last 2 years. Almost every day. To me, that’s one of the best ways to jump-start my days, and it takes only a few minutes. I can easily say that it’s become a habit already.

Here they are three of my highlighted quotes by Marcus Aurelius on Pragmatism.

Start with where the world is

Do now what nature demands of you. Get right to it if that’s in your power. Don’t look around to see if people will know about it. Don’t await the perfection of Plato’s Republic, but be satisfied with even the smallest step forward.

Anything can be an advantage

Just as nature of rational things has given to each person their rational powers, so it also gives us this power - just as nature turns to its own purpose any obstacle or any opposition, so any rational person can convert any obstacle into the raw material for their own purpose.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

It is essential for you to remember that the attention you give to any action should be in due proportion to its worth, for then you won’t tire and give up, if you aren’t busying yourself with lesser things beyond what should be allowed.

Apart from being exceptionally wise and one of the most quoted stoics, Marcus Aurelius was amongst the longest-reigning Roman emperors (19 years). As a perspective, many emperors lasted between a few months and a few years.