Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: Again, he that feareth pains and…
Again, he that feareth pains and crosses in this world, feareth some of those things which some time or other must needs happen in the world. And that we have already showed to be impious.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Hardship is not a strange visitor from outside life. It is one of life’s recurring appointments. We know this intellectually, yet we are often shocked when a plan fails, a body hurts, or someone disappoints us. Marcus says that fearing these things is futile because they belong to the world we inhabit. Anticipating difficulty does not make us pessimistic; it makes us less fragile. We can save money, strengthen friendships, care for our health, and prepare our character without pretending preparation gives us control over everything. The aim is not to live in dread. It is to stop treating adversity as an insult. Today, consider one challenge you have been avoiding because it feels unpleasant. Take a small preparatory action. The more willingly you meet ordinary hardship, the less power it has to frighten you.
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