logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2018
57m 16s

Episode 201: Marcus Aurelius's Stoicism ...

Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey
About this episode

On The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (ca. 180 C.E.) plus Ryan's The Daily Stoic (2016).

What does Stoicism look like in practice, in both ancient and modern contexts? You might think that eschewing the shallow, out-of-our-control trappings of fame and wealth in favor of personal cultivation would make one unambitious, but Ryan uses Marcus as a prime example of how to be a Stoic while trying to accomplish great things.

Continue on part 2, or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition now along with the Citizen-only follow-up discussion getting more into the text of Marcus. Please support PEL!

Up next
Jul 6
PEL Presents #200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)
In immediate reaction to the Apple TV+ Seth Rogan show The Studio, we talk about Hollywood's obsession with itself and how studio dynamics interfere with what exactly we all get to see. Also, what's with the fascination with old Hollywood? What's the appeal of Hollywood gossip? E ... Show More
57m 55s
Jul 7
Ep. 370: Christine Korsgaard on the History of Ethics (Part Two)
We dive further into the text of lectures 1 and 2 of The Sources of Normativity (1996). We give Korsgaard's account of the idea of reflective endorsement through Hume and Bernard Williams to get to her own view. When you come to know the origins of your moral sentiments, do you s ... Show More
49m 24s
Jun 29
PEL Presents NEM#233: Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) Is Not Taking This for Granted
This famed finger-style guitarist broke through with Jefferson Airplane's seven albums from 1966-1972, recorded eight with Hot Tuna 1970-1976 (with subsequent reunions by both bands), recorded his first solo album in 1974 and then 10 more from 1981-2025, and has collaborated with ... Show More
1h 13m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
How To Plan Your Day Like Marcus Aurelius
In today's weekend episode of the Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan reminds us How To Plan Your Day Like Marcus Aurelius by the way of voice actor Michael Reid. Two millennia ago, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius penned his personal reflections in a journal titled "To Himself," not anti ... Show More
17m 11s
Jun 2024
The Responsibility of Translating Marcus Aurelius | David Hernández de la Fuente
Today, Ryan is joined by David Hernández de la Fuente, the translator behind the Spanish edition of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Together, they talk about the responsibility of a translator, Seneca’s legacy as a Spanish Stoic, sharing Marcus’ work with new audiences, and the r ... Show More
58m 36s
Jun 2022
The Philosophers: Stoic revival
Sean Illing talks with author Ryan Holiday about Stoicism — a philosophy with roots in ancient Greece and which flourished in early imperial Rome — and how it can help us live fulfilling lives today. In addition to explaining what Stoicism is and how we can practice it, Holiday a ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2022
The Most Life Changing Marcus Aurelius Quotes
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor, born nearly two millennia ago (121 – 180). Marcus became the Emperor of the Roman Empire in 161 and ruled for nearly two decades until his death in 180. It is important to realize the gravity of that position and the magnitude of power that Ma ... Show More
9m 47s
Aug 2023
What Stoic Rules Make Life Less Erratic? | A Cure For Procrastination
Marcus Aurelius never claimed to be a Stoic.Gregory Hays, one of Marcus Aurelius’s best translators (the one we worked with on our beautiful premium edition), writes, “If he had to be identified with a particular school, [Stoicism] is surely the one he would have chosen. Yet I su ... Show More
7m 34s
Jan 2023
100 Lessons from Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is perhaps the only document of its kind ever made. It is the private thoughts of the world’s most powerful man giving advice to himself on how to make good on the responsibilities and obligations of his positions. Trained in Stoic philosophy, Marcus Aurelius stopped ... Show More
1h 17m
Oct 2020
Ryan Holiday || Lives of the Stoics
Today it is great to have Ryan Holiday on the podcast. Holiday is one of the world’s foremost thinkers and writers on ancient philosophy and its place in everyday life. He is a sought-after speaker, strategist and the author of many bestselling books including The Obstacle Is the ... Show More
55m 53s
Aug 2023
The Discipline Expert: The 4 Surprising & Easy Habits ALL High Achievers Have! (Based On 2,000 Years Of Research) - Ryan Holiday
How can a 2,000 year old philosophy change your life in 2023?In this new episode Steven sits down with the bestselling author Ryan Holiday. Ryan is best known for promoting the timeless life philosophy of Stoicism through his books, ‘Ego Is The Enemy’, ‘The Obstacle Is The Way’, ... Show More
1h 25m
Oct 2023
The Beautiful Language Of Marcus’s Philosophy | Ask DS
There are so many beautiful passages in Meditations.“The way loaves of bread split open on top in the oven,” Marcus Aurelius writes in Book 3, “the ridges are just by-products of the baking, and yet pleasing, somehow: they rouse our appetite without our knowing why.” His poetic o ... Show More
12m 48s
Dec 2023
Lives Of The Stoics |Marcus Aurelius The Philosopher King
Marcus Aurelius was chosen by Emporer Hadrian to be his eventual successor. In 161, Aurelius took control of the Roman Empire along with his brother Verus. War and disease threatened Rome on all sides. Aurelius held his territory, but was weakened as a ruler after the death of hi ... Show More
41m 34s