Contemplating Forgiveness: An Unimaginable Prospect?
Marcus Aurelius, the renowned Roman emperor and philosopher, is best known for his teachings recorded in the personal writings and reflections of Meditations. These teachings, deeply rooted in Stoicism, were put to the test during the tumultuous period of Avidius Cassius' rebellion.
In 175 AD, Avidius Cassius declared himself emperor and betrayed Marcus Aurelius. Instead of seeking revenge, Marcus Aurelius chose a path of reconciliation. He calmly contemplated the situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining inner peace and reason over being disturbed by external events or anger.
Despite pressure from his advisers to march east and violently suppress the rebellion, Marcus Aurelius refused. He rejected the idea of shedding Roman blood in a civil war and refused to let passion dictate his actions. Instead, he declared that the army would march for peace, not war.
This decision underscored his identity as a philosopher-king who prioritized reason and justice above vengeance. Marcus Aurelius' conduct during the Cassius rebellion exemplified his Stoic principles, choosing forgiveness and stability over cruelty and further conflict.
The book, "The Obstacle Is The Way," by Ryan Holiday, offers practical advice on responding to challenges with virtue, much like Marcus Aurelius did during his reign. The expanded 10th anniversary edition of the book provides insights on how to respond to wrongdoing and obstacles with virtue, just as Marcus Aurelius did.
Marcus Aurelius' teachings suggest that something only harms you if it harms your character. In the case of Avidius Cassius' betrayal, Marcus Aurelius wept at the tragedy of losing his chance to grant clemency to his enemy. Yet, he chose to rise above bitterness, demonstrating that when wronged, one can choose to be better in the process.
The Stoics view obstacles as opportunities for practicing virtue. Marcus Aurelius saw civil war as an opportunity to demonstrate a "right way to deal" with conflict, according to his own teachings. He had trained his whole life to practice these teachings, even in the face of betrayal and civil war.
Today, Marcus Aurelius' teachings continue to provide guidance on dealing with wrongdoing and obstacles. "The Obstacle Is The Way" is a resource for learning how to respond to wrongdoing and obstacles with virtue, much like Marcus Aurelius did during his reign. The book can be purchased here.
References: [1] Holiday, R. (2014). The Obstacle Is The Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph. Penguin Books. [2] Holiday, R. (2020). The Obstacle Is The Way: The 10th Anniversary Edition. Penguin Books.
Marcus Aurelius' teachings extend beyond his reign, offering insights on preserving inner peace and reason in relationships, as demonstrated during the Cassius rebellion. This philosophy also influences education-and-self-development, particularly in personal-growth, as evidenced by the book "The Obstacle Is The Way" by Ryan Holiday.
