Practical Stoicism

Choosing Your Counsel and Thoughts Wisely (Meditations 3.4)

Jan 14, 2025

Dive into Marcus Aurelius' insightful teachings on the importance of avoiding unproductive thoughts about others. Explore how every choice comes with opportunity costs, urging a focus on personal growth and meaningful connections. Discover methods for cultivating virtuous and honest thoughts to enhance moral integrity. Delve into the concept of Stoic reasoning, emphasizing the need to align choices with virtue and justice, and learn the significance of carefully selecting whose counsel to heed.

19:08

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Quick takeaways

Investing time in speculation about others diverts attention from our own goals, highlighting the critical nature of opportunity cost.

Fostering virtuous thoughts aligned with Stoic values is essential for personal growth and moral excellence, requiring intentional self-discipline.

Deep dives

The Cost of Worrying About Others

Investing time in speculation about what others think or do can detract from our own pursuits. Engaging in such thoughts may lead to wasted hours that could be better spent focusing on our own goals and responsibilities. The meditation emphasizes the importance of discerning when it is appropriate to care for the well-being of others, such as reaching out to support a sibling during a difficult time, rather than indulging in unnecessary worry. This balanced approach to external concerns encourages us to prioritize meaningful engagement over curiosity or negativity.

Intro

2min

Cultivating Purposeful Thoughts and Inner Integrity

2min

Navigating Opportunity Costs in Relationships

2min

The Stoic Mind: Choosing Virtuous Thoughts

4min

Exploring Stoic Reasoning and Moral Philosophy

7min

In this episode, Tanner explores the rich insights of Meditations 3.4 by Marcus Aurelius, focusing on four main Stoic principles. Marcus warns against wasting time on unnecessary concerns about others, emphasizing opportunity cost and the importance of focusing on appropriate external and internal matters. Tanner also discusses the practice of habituating virtuous thoughts—those we would not be ashamed to express openly—as a step toward moral excellence. The meditation highlights the innate rationality within us, gifted by the Logos, and reminds us that our purpose is to act in alignment with justice and reason. Finally, Marcus advises caution in choosing whose counsel to value, urging Stoics to avoid being swayed by those who do not pursue Virtue themselves.

MEDITATION TEXT

“Do not waste the balance of life left to you in thoughts about other persons, when you are not referring to some advantage of your fellows—for why do you rob yourself of something else which you might do—I mean if you imagine to yourself what so and so is doing, and why; what he is saying or thinking or planning, and every thought of the kind which leads you astray from close watch over your governing self? [full meditation can be found at https://stoicismpod.com/far] — (Meditations 3.4)

TAKEAWAYS

— Every choice carries an opportunity cost; time spent on unproductive thoughts cannot be reclaimed.

— Virtue begins with habituating honest and just thoughts that align with Stoic values.

— Moral reasoning is not just an ability but the purpose of a rational being.

— Stoics must be selective about whose counsel they value, focusing on those who align with Nature.

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— Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far