Well Aurelius himself didn’t even consider himself a philosopher. He viewed himself as a man trying to live virtuously and learn about the world. Many people find comfort in his writings and feel it helps give them purpose. They were written 2000 years ago but many people still relate to them today.

And I’m curious who thinks this makes them deep or complex? I don’t see anyone here lauding that. I also don’t know anything about YouTube “manfluencers” or anything like that but if they are getting people to quit drinking in excess and exercising then I can’t see the harm.

If someone did laugh at peoples liking of Meditations then so be it.

It’s like a muscle. If you don’t actively try to use it it will never strengthen and you will live thinking it impossible.

Stoicism doesn’t call for the absence of emotion. We all feel emotions and that’s a good thing. Stoicism calls for not letting our emotions guide our decision making. When you make a choice angry vs when you make a choice feeling neutral what’s likely the better choice? Realize your emotions and understand them, but don’t let them control you

In the history of the world

Having the context of when these rules were written and under what circumstances would surely change your mind. It’s easy for them to seem cheesy in this format

Well you must have not read my message. I’m saying you need discipline no matter what to succeed, but you may just need less depending on circumstances

Discipline isn’t to keep yourself occupied. Discipline is necessary to achieve any long term goal, even if you have advantages like money.

Some people need less discipline to achieve things 100%

I mean yea it is. Pleasure doesn’t create lasting happiness. Money makes it easier to be happier but to a point. Studies have shown after like 110k/the ability to live comfortably money brings minimal happiness

Literally all this is saying is that the pain of getting up, working hard, being present is less than the pain of missing opportunities and failing because of your own laziness

This post never claims only two types of pain exist

The image never says there aren’t other forms of pain

How? They might inherit money but without discipline and purpose they likely won’t be happy

Peoples backs hurt because they spend decades having poor posture and poor hamstring strength. Discipline fixes this

It’s pointless to shallowly compare lives like that

He wrote the most popular book we have on Stoicism yet would have disagreed to have been called a philosopher. Truly a once in a generation type of man

Game of thrones stomps lmfao

The movie establishes he cares for his children and wants to return home multiple times

If this is where your mind went that’s just sad tbh

You’re the type of person he’s ridiculing