Ideas from 'The Meditations (To Himself)' by Marcus Aurelius [170], by Theme Structure

[found in 'The Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius (ed/tr Grube,G.M.A.) [Hackett 1983,0-915145-79-0]].

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1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 2. Wise People

3067	A philosopher should have principles ready for understanding, like a surgeon with instruments

			Full Idea: As physicians have always their instruments and knives ready for cases which suddenly require their skill, so should you have principles ready for the understanding of things divine and human.
			From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 3.13)
			A reaction: Nice. Philosophy is the training ground where wisdom and good living are made possible, but it cannot be a substitute for living.

7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 1. Nature of Change

3072	Everything is changing, including yourself and the whole universe

			Full Idea: All things are changing; and you yourself are in continuous mutation and in a manner in continuous destruction, and the whole universe too.
			From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 9.19)
			A reaction: Undeniable, but not much point in brooding on it. You become conscious of mutation if you hope to remain unchanged, but if you go with the flow mutation is normality.

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / k. Ethics from nature

3066	Nothing is evil which is according to nature

			Full Idea: Nothing is evil which is according to nature.
			From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 2.17)
			A reaction: A bit hopeful. Sounds tautological. I.e. anything which is agreed to be evil is probably immediately labelled as 'unnatural'. What would he agree was evil?

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure

3071	Justice has no virtue opposed to it, but pleasure has temperance opposed to it

			Full Idea: In the constitution of the rational animal I see no virtue which is opposed to justice; but I see a virtue which is opposed to pleasure, and that is temperance.
			From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 8.39)
			A reaction: There are plenty of hideous things opposed to justice, but presumably that immediately disqualifies them from being virtues.

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / b. Living naturally

3069	The art of life is more like the wrestler's than the dancer's

			Full Idea: The art of life is more like the wrestler's than the dancer's.
			From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 7.61)

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / a. Human distinctiveness

3065	Humans are naturally made for co-operation

			Full Idea: We are made for cooperation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of upper and lower teeth. To act against one another, then, is contrary to nature.
			From: Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 2.1)