Previous Stoicism

ALWAYS THE SAME

“Think by way of example on the times of Vespasian, and you’ll see all these things: marrying, raising children, falling ill, dying, wars, holiday feasts, commerce, farming, flattering, pretending, suspecting, scheming, praying that others die, grumbling over one’s lot, falling in love, amassing fortunes, lusting after office and power.

Now that life of theirs is dead and gone… the times of Trajan, again the same …”

- MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS

Summary

Marcus Aurelius reflects on the repetitive nature of human life across generations, illustrating that people in past eras engaged in the same pursuits and faced the same challenges we do today. From love and ambition to conflict and material gain, each generation experiences similar desires, actions, and struggles. He notes that while these lives once seemed significant to those living them, they eventually fade into history, replaced by future generations repeating the same patterns.

Interpretation

This passage urges us to recognize the fleeting nature of our lives and the predictable cycles of human existence. Realizing that our struggles and desires are neither unique nor everlasting can bring a sense of perspective and tranquility. For someone familiar with Stoic ideas, this insight encourages a detachment from trivial pursuits and a focus on what truly matters. Instead of being consumed by the ups and downs of daily life, we can cultivate inner peace by understanding that much of what concerns us is simply part of an endless human cycle.

 

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