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WHAT COMES TO US ALL

“Both Alexander the great and his mule-keeper were both brought to the same place by death—they were either received into the all-generative reason, or scattered among the atoms.”

- MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS

Summary

Marcus Aurelius reflects on the inevitability of death, noting that both the powerful, like Alexander the Great, and the humble, like his mule-keeper, meet the same fate. In death, all are either absorbed into the universal reason or reduced to their elemental components, highlighting life’s fundamental equality.

Interpretation

This serves as a reminder that status, wealth, and achievements ultimately hold no sway in the face of mortality. For readers of The Daily Stoic, it reinforces the Stoic principle of humility and the transient nature of worldly distinctions. By focusing on living virtuously and embracing the common fate shared by all, we can cultivate a deeper sense of perspective and peace in our daily lives.

 

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