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Marcus Aurelius – Lectiones in Negotio (Lessons in Business)

(this post is dedicated to one of the business leaders who inspires me, Mr. Vin Lee of Grand Metropolitan, a modern day Marcus Aurelius.)

Marcus Aurelius – Meditations

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD and is best known as a Stoic philosopher.

His writings, particularly “Meditations,” provide insight into his thoughts on duty, virtue, and the nature of the human experience.

In our opinion, the “Meditations” book is a must for every library. It not only offers sage advice, but cautionary tales and paths toward optimism and growth.

In his meditation which says “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” Marcus Aurelius is suggesting to us that in business, like in life, we ought to prepare for the challenges and struggles with resilience and strength, rather than expecting ease.

As a ruler, he emphasized wisdom and rationality, striving to lead with integrity during a time of military conflict and social upheaval. Marcus Aurelius is often regarded as one of the “Five Good Emperors” due to his philosophical approach and commitment to the welfare of the Roman Empire.

Marcus Aurelius

Following are 25 excerpts from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations that can be applied to business, along with interpretations for each:

1. “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Interpretation: Focus on your reactions and decisions rather than external challenges. This empowers you to navigate business pressures effectively.
2. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” Interpretation: A positive mindset fosters a constructive work environment and can enhance team morale and productivity.
3. “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”Interpretation: Lead by example; embody the values and ethics you want to see in your organization.
4. “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”Interpretation: Encourage innovation and taking risks in your business. Fear of failure should not prevent you from pursuing new ideas.
5. “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” Interpretation: Embrace change as a constant in business. Adaptability is key to success in a dynamic market.
6. “Do not be a man who is full of desires.” Interpretation: Avoid excessive ambition. Focus on achievable goals to maintain balance and sustainability in your business pursuits.
7. “When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly.” Interpretation: Prepare for challenges in interpersonal relationships at work. Understanding this can help you respond with patience and professionalism.
8. “Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.” Interpretation: Foster a supportive workplace culture while holding yourself accountable for your actions and decisions.
9. “Remember that very little is needed for a happy life.” Interpretation: Focus on the essentials that drive business success rather than getting lost in unnecessary complexity or materialism.
10. “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.” Interpretation: Maintain integrity and professionalism, even in the face of negativity or unethical behavior from others.
11. “Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it is endurable, then endure it.” Interpretation: Cultivate resilience in your team. Encourage the mindset of facing challenges with determination.
12. “Accept the things to which fate binds you.” Interpretation: Acknowledge limitations and focus on what you can influence within your business context.
13. “You are a little soul carrying around a corpse.” Interpretation: Remind yourself and your team to prioritize values and purpose over material concerns in business.
14. “Let not your mind run on what you lack as much as on what you have already.”Interpretation: Foster a culture of gratitude within the team, recognizing and building on existing strengths and resources.
15. “The only wealth which you will keep forever is the wealth you have given away.” Interpretation: Encourage corporate social responsibility and the importance of giving back to the community.
16. “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” Interpretation: Promote a positive and constructive workplace culture that influences the overall tone of the organization.
17. “A man should be upright, not be kept upright.” Interpretation: Encourage self-motivation and integrity among employees rather than relying solely on external oversight.
18. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” Interpretation: Inspire your team to pursue meaningful work that contributes to personal and professional fulfillment.
19. “What is not good for the swarm is not good for the bee.” Interpretation: Recognize the interdependence within your organization; what benefits the company as a whole benefits each individual.
20. “If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.” Interpretation: Uphold ethical standards in business practices, ensuring that integrity guides all actions and communications.
21. “He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.”Interpretation: Promote a balanced work-life culture to foster well-being and productivity among employees.
22. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”Interpretation: Encourage a growth mindset, viewing obstacles as opportunities for innovation and improvement.
23. “How much time he saves who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does.”Interpretation: Foster focus and productivity by minimizing distractions from competitors and external opinions.
24. “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” Interpretation: Prepare for the challenges and struggles of business with resilience and strength, rather than expecting ease.
25. “In the morning, when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present: I am rising to the work of a human being.” Interpretation: Cultivate a sense of purpose and responsibility within your team, reminding them of the importance of their contributions.

These interpretations highlight how Marcus Aurelius’ wisdom can enhance leadership, foster a positive workplace culture, and promote resilience in business practices.

Paul Fioravanti, MBA, MPA, CTP, is the CEO & Managing Partner of QORVAL Partners, LLC, a FL-based advisory firm (founded 1996 by Jim Malone, six-time Fortune 100/500 CEO) Qorval is a US-based turnaround, restructuring, business optimization and interim management firm. Fioravanti is a proven turnaround CEO with experience in more than 90 situations in more than 40 industries. He earned his MBA and MPA from the University of Rhode Island and completed advanced post-master’s research in finance and marketing at Bryant University. He is a Certified Turnaround Professional and member of the Turnaround Management Association, the Private Directors Association, Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Association of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&MA), the American Bankruptcy Institute, and IMCUSA. Copyright 2024, Qorval Partners LLC and/or Paul Fioravanti, MBA, MPA, CTP. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution without permission.

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