A Good Man: Marcus Aurelius

A mic-drop from none other than Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, philosophical heavyweight, and, let’s be honest, a total legend who’s part philosopher, part warlord, and part box-office star (thanks, Gladiator).

Now, I know what you’re thinking—of course, it’s easy to admire a Roman ruler when Hollywood hands him a crown and Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack. But Marcus wasn’t just some toga-wearing tough guy barking orders in Latin. He was one of history’s most benevolent leaders, steering Rome during its golden years, all while balancing the weight of an empire with the clarity of a Stoic philosopher.

What really sets Marcus apart was not his conquest—but his journal game. His personal diary, Meditations, is essentially the ancient version of “Notes to Self,” filled with private thoughts that he never intended anyone to read. Yet, 1,800 years later, his scattered reflections have become one of history’s most enduring self-help manuals. Meditations is basically a TED Talk in scroll form, except instead of a wireless headset, Marcus had a laurel wreath and the wisdom to outlast most trends.

The book dives deep into Stoicism, a philosophy that’s basically the ancient art of “keep calm and carry on.” It’s all about mastering your emotions, focusing on what you can control, and shrugging off life’s chaos with a Zen-like demeanor. Sound familiar? That’s because Stoicism is making a modern-day comeback. Case in point: Meditations sold 16,000 copies in 2012. By 2019? That number skyrocketed to 100,000. Why? Because in a world of doomscrolling, traffic jams, and inboxes that never quit, the need to channel your inner Marcus Aurelius has never been more relevant.

So, Dudes, let me leave you with a few gems from the OG Stoic’s playbook:

• “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

• “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

• “Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly.”

In other words, stop sweating the small stuff, stop debating what makes a good man, and start being one. Marcus said it first, but it’s advice that hits just as hard today as it did when he was running the Roman Empire. Go be your own Gladiator.