“Here’s a way to think about what the masses regard as being ‘good’ things. If you would first start by setting your mind upon things that are unquestionably good-wisdom, self-control, justice, courage-with this preconception you’ll no longer be able to listen to the popular refrain that there are too many good things to experience in a lifetime.”
Holiday, R., & Hanselman, S. (2016). The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Portfolio.
-MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 5.12
Is it that controversial to say that there are the things that people value (and pressure you to value as well)-and there are the things that are actually good? Or to question whether wealth and fame are all they are cracked up to be? As Seneca observed in one of his plays:
“If only the hearts of the wealthy were opened to all! How great the fears high fortune stirs up within them.”
For centuries, people have assumed that wealth would be a wonderful cure-all for their unhappiness or problems. Why else would they have worked so hard for it? But when people actually acquired the money and status they craved; they discovered it wasn’t quite what they had hoped. The same is true of so many things we covet without really thinking. On the other hand, the “good” that the Stoics advocate is simpler and more straightforward: wisdom, self-control, justice, courage. No one who achieves these quiet virtues experiences buyer’s remorse.
I often find myself contemplating the societal rush towards acquiring wealth and status, a race that seems to start almost as soon as we gain consciousness. While I acknowledge the necessity of money for securing life’s basic needs—shelter, education, and healthcare—I can’t help but feel that beyond these essentials, the pursuit of more becomes a distracting noise. It’s important to differentiate between simply being able to pay for luxuries and truly being able to afford them. To me, genuine affordability doesn’t demand sacrifices of our fundamental security or lead us into debt.
Many people, even those who attain substantial financial resources without compromising their basic needs, continue to experience a lack of fulfillment. This observation has led me to question the traditional markers of success. Despite their abundance, these individuals often find themselves trapped in a cycle of constant wanting, their desires pushing them into debt and dissatisfaction. It appears that accumulating wealth and possessions does not automatically translate into happiness.
Instead, I advocate for a life focused on achieving tranquility and security free from financial and societal risks. Adding to the virtues that Marcus Aurelius extolled—wisdom, self-control, justice, courage—I believe that financial freedom and the ability to manage one’s own time should also be considered essential. These, in my view, are the real indicators of a fulfilling life, far more significant than the endless accumulation of material wealth. Thus, while it’s okay to enjoy life’s luxuries, our mindset and level of awareness must be sufficient to truly appreciate and afford them, without compromising our fundamental well-being.
My Daily Stoic: