Previous Stoicism

IT’S NOT THE THING, IT’S WHAT WE MAKE OUT

“When you are distressed by an external thing, it’s not the thing itself that troubles you, but only your judgment of it. And you can wipe this out at a moment’s notice.”

- MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS

Summary

Marcus Aurelius teaches that distress is not caused by external events but by our perception of them. When something seems to upset us, it is our own judgment of the situation, not the event itself, that fuels our discomfort. He emphasizes that we have the power to change this perception in an instant, freeing ourselves from distress by adjusting how we interpret the situation.

Interpretation

In practical terms, this means we can take control of our reactions to difficult situations by re-evaluating how we view them. For example, if someone criticizes our work, instead of feeling offended or discouraged, we could see it as an opportunity for improvement or as an opinion that doesn’t define our worth. By consciously choosing our response, we liberate ourselves from the hold that external events may seem to have, aligning with the Stoic idea that peace and resilience come from within.

 

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