Practicing the Right Thing: Lessons from Marcus Aurelius

To truly absorb knowledge and skills, one must practice and train consistently. This applies not only to physical movements but also to philosophical principles. Just hearing something once is not enough. We must continually meditate on and train ourselves in these principles, even in the face of stress and difficulty. Marcus Aurelius, a successful and wise man, was constantly practicing and training to do the right thing throughout his life. Like a black belt or a professional athlete, he consistently showed up to practice and train. In preparing for crucial decisions, it is necessary to train in advance and know our beliefs and standards. We must also understand ourselves, including our weaknesses, tendencies, and biases. This enables us to respond well in moments of stress or pressure. Stoicism teaches us to be prepared so that when challenges arise, we can confidently say, 'This is what I trained for.' By consistently practicing Stoicism, we can navigate difficult situations, stay true to our values, fulfill our obligations, and manage stress and boredom. However, it is important to remember that preparation is ongoing, as entropy constantly works against our preparation.