Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: This, what is it in itself, and by…
This, what is it in itself, and by itself, according to its proper constitution? What is the substance of it? What is the matter, or proper use? What is the form or efficient cause? What is it for in this world, and how long will it abide? Thus must thou examine all things, that present themselves unto thee.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
When something upsets you, take it apart before you let it take over. What is this thing, really? What is it made of? What does it do? How long will it last? Marcus uses this kind of examination to strip away the extra drama we attach to objects and events. A luxury item is material and marketing. An insult is sound and another person’s judgment. A feared meeting is an hour on a calendar with a few people in a room. Seeing clearly does not make every problem small, but it prevents imagination from inflating it without limit. This is especially helpful when anxiety speaks in vague, totalizing language: everything is ruined, this is unbearable, I cannot handle it. Get specific. Today, choose one thing that has captured your mind and describe it in plain, concrete terms. What is actually happening, what is its function, and what part of it requires your response?
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