#22. Marcus Aurelius, emperor philosopher

Author

Uki D. Lucas
July 18, 2024

Dear Friend

Rarely does our life go the way we imagine. The quote below might help.

"Whenever you arise at dawn,
immediately reflect
that you will encounter
annoying, ungrateful,
arrogant, dishonest,
jealous, and disagreeable.

All these things happen (to us)
because we are ignorant
and do not recognize the good from the bad."

Marcus Aurelius, emperor philosopher

The original Greek quote:

"Ἐπειδὰν ἕωθεν ἀναστῇς, ἄρτι σκέψαι, ὅτι συναντήσονταί σοι βροχοί, ἀχάριστοι, ὑβρισταί, δόλιοι, ζηλόφθονοι, καὶ δύσγνωμοι. Πάντα ταῦτα αὐτοῖς συμβαίνει διὰ τὸ ἀγνοεῖν τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ τὸ κακόν."

  • Ἐπειδὰν (Epeidan) - When, whenever

  • ἕωθεν (heōthen) - in the morning, at dawn

  • ἀναστῇς (anastēs) - you arise, you wake up

  • ἄρτι (arti) - first, immediately

  • σκέψαι (skepsai) - consider, reflect

  • ὅτι (hoti) - that

  • συναντήσονταί (synantēsontai) - will meet, will encounter

  • σοι (soi) - you

  • βροχοί (brochoi) - meddling, annoying

  • ἀχάριστοι (acharitstoi) - ungrateful

  • ὑβρισταί (hybristai) - arrogant, insolent

  • δόλιοι (dolioi) - deceitful, dishonest

  • ζηλόφθονοι (zēlophthonoi) - envious, jealous

  • καὶ (kai) - and

  • δύσγνωμοι (dysgnōmoi) - surly, disagreeable

  • Πάντα (Panta) - all ταῦτα (tauta) - these things

  • αὐτοῖς (autois) - to them (self)

  • συμβαίνει (symbainei) - happen, occur

  • διὰ (dia) - because of

  • τὸ (to) - the

  • ἀγνοεῖν (agnoein) - ignorance, not knowing

  • τὸ (to) - the

  • ἀγαθὸν (agathon) - good

  • καὶ (kai) - and

  • τὸ (to) - the

  • κακόν (kakon) - bad, evil


Respectfully,

Uki D. Lucas

Amazon.com: Meditations: A New Translation (Audible Audio Edition): Marcus Aurelius, Gregory Hays - translator, Roger Davis, Random House Audio: Books

Amazon.com: Meditations: A New Translation (Audible Audio Edition): Marcus Aurelius, Gregory Hays - translator, Roger Davis, Random House Audio: Books

amzn.to/3WrjCjX

My mission statement:

“A compendium of letters blending technologystartup management, stoic philosophy, active lifestyle ethos, and a love for culture. It aims to mentor and inspire through insightful content and practical advice, focusing on personal and professional growth for a balanced and fulfilling life.”

~ Uki D. Lucas, cultural anthropologist, ex-U.S. Marine, leader, writer, mentor

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