Marcus Aurelius, the renowned Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, reflects on the profound lessons learned from his loving stepfather, Antoninus. He emphasizes the virtues of compassion, integrity, and self-reliance, illustrating how these qualities shape an exemplary role model. Marcus shares insights on leading a disciplined life, advocating for self-control and the joy of unselfish acts. This discussion connects ancient Stoic principles to modern parenting, encouraging listeners to embody these timeless teachings.
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Marcus Aurelius's Stepfather
Marcus Aurelius's father died when he was young, but he gained a loving stepfather, Antoninus.
Marcus revered Antoninus and considered him a role model, striving to emulate his virtues.
insights INSIGHT
Learning through Example
Marcus learned valuable lessons from Antoninus, such as compassion, hard work, persistence, and self-reliance.
These lessons were more impactful because they were demonstrated through actions, not just words.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
The Importance of Role Models
Learn from role models and surround yourself with people you admire.
This provides a benchmark for self-improvement and helps guide your development.
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Marcus Aurelius’s father died when he was young. But then this young boy who was cursed by tragedy received a great gift. A gift that all children who have received it know to be one of the most incredible things in the world: a loving step-father.
Ernest Renan wrote that, more than his teachers and tutors, “Marcus had a single master whom he revered above them all, and that was Antoninus.” All his adult life, Marcus strived to be a disciple of his adoptive stepfather. While he lived, Marcus saw him, Renan said, as “the most beautiful model of a perfect life.”
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And in today’s audiobook reading, we hear in Marcus Aurelius’s own words what he learned from and thought about Antoninus, and he admired him so.
🌳 Happy Father’s Day to everyone! Just an FYI, we also send out a daily email (and daily podcast) about parenting over at DailyDad.com. We’d love to have you join us!
The Daily Stoic 
