Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: And this I say of them, who once shined…
And this I say of them, who once shined as the wonders of their ages, for as for the rest, no sooner are they expired, than with them all their fame and memory. And what is it then that shall always be remembered? all is vanity.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Fame is a weak foundation because even the brightest names fade. The people everyone talks about now may be forgotten, misunderstood, or replaced by next year’s fascination. Marcus is not saying achievement is pointless. He is saying that being remembered cannot be the reason you live well. If you chase permanence through reputation, you will be disappointed; if you use your talents to serve, create, and act honorably, the work has value even when the audience moves on. This is especially useful in the age of likes, rankings, and personal brands. Today, ask whether you are doing something because it is good or because it will be seen. Keep the first reason. Let the second be optional, and do not let visibility decide your worth.
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