What We Do In Life Does Not Echo In Eternity
The Daily Stoic31 Joulu 2018

What We Do In Life Does Not Echo In Eternity

In the movie Gladiator, Maximus, the protege of Marcus Aurelius, says famously, “What we do in life, echoes in eternity.” It’s a powerful, inspiring line, (also tattooed on Lebron James’s arm) one the average viewer might assume that Marcus Aurelius agreed with.

Funnily enough, in his actual writings, Marcus Aurelius could not have come out more strongly against this idea. He says at one point, in Meditations, that “People out for posthumous fame forget that the Generations to Come will be the same annoying people they know now. And just as mortal." But even if they weren’t, he asks:

“What good would it do you?...You're out of step—neglecting the gifts of nature to hang on someone's words in the future."

Indeed, not only do people deprive themselves of the wonder of the present in order to hopefully be remembered in the future, far too many people—especially leaders—do themselves and those they serve a disservice by “performing for history.” Instead of focusing on what they can do right now, what little progress or improvements they can make, they get caught up in the idea of a grand, sweeping legacy. Or they play things safe, not wanting to take risks that could turn out badly...at the expense of possible opportunities they’ll never even know they missed.

We should want to do the right thing, today, because it’s the right thing. We should pursue excellence because excellence is intrinsically valuable, not because we want to be admired after we’re dead and gone. Forget echoing in eternity—just speak loudly enough to be heard right now.

Or better yet, let your actions do the talking.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(2884)

BONUS | You Can't Let The Setbacks Win

BONUS | You Can't Let The Setbacks Win

When jarred by circumstances, Marcus Aurelius writes, we have to revert back to ourselves. We have to come back to the rhythm. We have to intervene. We can't let the challenges win.Let’s not write the...

2 Helmi 2min

Sometimes You Just Lose (But That’s No Excuse) | A Proper Frame Of Mind

Sometimes You Just Lose (But That’s No Excuse) | A Proper Frame Of Mind

We have to stay at it. We have to accept the losses that come…without accepting the status quo. We should not give up. 📘 Grab the hardcover edition of The Daily Stoic here: https://store.dailystoic.c...

2 Helmi 7min

This Is Why You Have To Care

This Is Why You Have To Care

Immigration is a complicated issue. Crime is complicated. But this is not complicated.👉 Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free list...

1 Helmi 11min

Why Bert Kreischer Thinks He Needs a Stoic Coach

Why Bert Kreischer Thinks He Needs a Stoic Coach

Bert Kreischer and Ryan continue their conversation about the tension between discipline and indulgence, why Bert sometimes feels better hungover than sober, and the pull of routines built around puni...

31 Tammi 37min

The Age of Catos is Gone (or Is It?) | Ryan Holiday Owes Everything To This One Book

The Age of Catos is Gone (or Is It?) | Ryan Holiday Owes Everything To This One Book

It always feels like the traditional values are slipping away…Maybe they are. Maybe they aren’t. 📕 Pick up your own Premium Leather Edition of Meditations - Marcus Aurelius (Gregory Hays Translation)...

30 Tammi 14min

This is the Day You Start | What Does Living A Virtuous Life Look Like?

This is the Day You Start | What Does Living A Virtuous Life Look Like?

Sometimes life happens, but here’s your second chance. Now is the best time to start being the person you want to be. Let’s not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge ...

29 Tammi 17min

Bert Kreischer Has a Stoicism Problem

Bert Kreischer Has a Stoicism Problem

Bert Kreischer wants to be Stoic. It just doesn’t come naturally. In this episode, he talks with Ryan about why Stoicism feels almost impossible for him, why criticism still gets under his skin, his h...

28 Tammi 45min

Do You Think They Liked It?

Do You Think They Liked It?

This is what philosophy is about, what discipline is as a virtue: Doing things you don’t want to do.Let’s not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge is opening back up...

28 Tammi 3min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-rahapodi
rss-rahamania
pomojen-suusta
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
juristipodi
rss-myyntikoulu
rss-seuraava-potilas
rss-lahtijat
rss-draivi
leadcast
sijoitusovi-podcast
asuntoasiaa-paivakirjat
rss-startup-ministerio
rss-sami-miettinen-neuvottelija
rahapuhetta
rss-h-asselmoilanen
rss-turha-edes-yrittaa