Wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Ancient Rome vs The Movie 'Gladiator' (2000)

EMPEROR MARCUS AURELIUS ~ Ancient philosophy or psychology?

Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius (April 26, 121–March 17, 180) kept a notebook (like a diary or journal of sorts), his Meditations.  It has been translated and annotated by the British classics scholar Robin Waterfield.  I might have titled the notebook “Anger Management Techniques”.  

“First, don’t be upset. Nothing happens that isn’t in accord with universal nature, and before long you won’t exist at all, just like [your heroes]… Second, fix your gaze on the matter at hand and see it for what it is, and then, keeping in your mind your obligation to be a good man and the demands of your humanity, go right ahead and do it, in the way that seems to you to be most just. But do it with kindness and modesty, and without dissembling.” 

The emperor basically said KEEP YOUR COOL!!

The Stoic Antidote to Frustration: Marcus Aurelius on How to Keep Your Mental Composure and Emotional Equanimity When People Let You Down – Brain Pickings

ENTERTAINMENT TRIVIA:  The movie "Gladiator" (2000) which starred Russell Crowe did not present a true historical picture of Marcus Aurelius.

"Marcus Aurelius really was a Roman Emperor for about 6 decades (161 - 180). He was a scholar who adhered to Stoicism, and reflected his view and perspectives about life in a writing called “Meditations”. Although he was a philanthropist and introduced social reforms, he did not like the Christians.

History says that Marcus Aurelius did nominate his own son to succeed him. Aurelius died in March 180 and Commodus – full name: Lucius Aelius Aurelius - was 19 years old when he came to the throne. He reigned from 180 - 193. He was a mad tyrant who believed himself to the reincarnation of the demigod Hercules and that he somehow possessed superhuman strength. The people did not like him at all and they tried to kill him many many times. Each failed assassination attempt was met with some serious payback consequences. In the end, he was murdered by a hired gladiator."   (Source)

Original source

RELATED LINKS:

My Blog Stop!: Entertainment : Superhero Movies : Gladiator (2000) (UPDATE: Gladiator 2 is Coming!)

Enjoying Some Quality ME Time With Movies, Music and Books: Movie to Watch Again and Again: Gladiator (2000). ~ Gladiator 2 is Coming Nov 2024!

The Origin of Brutal Regimes is Ancient History

“‘Violence is the common origin of all regimes. Life, discussion, and political choice occur only against a background of violence.’ ~ Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908–1961), “Humanism and Terror”

Image: "The Legend of Sargon (The Goddess Ishtar Appears to Sargon, the Gardener's Lad)" By the contemporary artist, Edwin J. Prittie"

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I AGREE with Mr. Merleau-Ponty. Ever notice when most people speak of a regime they usually describe it as brutal? The use of violence is unrestrained and motivated by either the lust for power (control over a landmass and the people who live on it) and/or a desire for revenge (action required against some wrong done to them). The blood of innocents (and of some who are guilty) must be shed for the rise of the empire and must continue to be shed in defense of the realm.

People have free will and know the difference between good and evil. They choose evil. I blame Sargon. He started it. Many historians give him credit for being the first empire-builder.  I trace the origin of brutal regimes back to him.  He may be written in the historical records as The Great or The Magnificent but I say the man was nothing but a troublemaker and a hell-raiser.  (NOTE: Sharp contrast. Abraham never lifted a finger to build an empire or become ruler, yet he is the father of many nations. God called him out of the land that Sargon bathed in blood building his empire.)

The origin of brutal regimes may be ancient history, but sadly, brutal regimes still exist today all over the world.

• Do you have an opinion, one way or the other about, the Merleau-Ponty quote? (Or about my insightful and simplistic philosophical points of view?)

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Original Source

Links of Interest:

• Sargon of Akkad - Ancient History Encyclopedia
• The Legend of Sargon of Akkad - Ancient History Encyclopedia
• King Sargon of Akkad—facts and information \ National Geographic
• Abraham, the Patriarch
• Genealogy: Modern Day Arabs and Their Father Abraham | Express Yourself! | Medium

A Brief Introduction to Arabic Philosophy

I'm an American so if you mention something about or ask me about Western philosophers I would probably be familiar with what or who you are talking about and might even be able to answer the question asked. However, if you ask me about Arab philosophers you will get nothing but a blank stare. That's the reaction you would have gotten before I wrote this article. Now if you ask me I might be able to engage in a short conversation with you.

I don't know why we never studied Arab philosophers in school. After all, wasn't it the Arabs who invented Algebra? They're smart people. Surely we could learn from them. Or … maybe they are just like all of the philosophers in Western civilization. They theorize and philosophize and don't really come up with any answers to anything. Maybe my teachers thought: Eh! You study one philosopher, you've studied them all. LOL.

Anyway, one of my New Year Resolutions is to try to learn new things that I have no familiarity with. I knew nothing about Arab philosophers. But now I know a little bit and I will share it with you.

Image credit

When you tackle a topic like this the best place to start your research is in a reputable and reliable encyclopedia like the Encyclopedia Brittanica. A perusal of several EB articles revealed the following eye-opening facts:

~ Islamic philosophy and Arabic philosophy, are phrases that are used interchangeably and the beginning of the philosophical movements in the Islamic world dates back to the 9th century.

~ Arabic philosophy combined the Western philosophies of Aristotelianism and Neoplatonism with other ideas introduced through Islam.

~ Al-Kindī is honored as being the first Muslim philosopher. He was known as “the philosopher of the Arabs”. How did he know so much about Western philosophy? Because he was appointed by the Abbasid Caliphs to work alongside his contemporaries, and translate Greek philosophical and scientific works into Arabic.

~ An important distinction must be made between Islamic philosophy versus Islamic theology (or religion). That distinction is that … it is very similar to Western philosophy in that the philosophers sort of try to eliminate God or Divine Intervention from the picture and rely on non-religious secular human reasoning and science to explain TRUTH and the UNIVERSE.

~ In addition to Al-Kindī, others who made significant contributions to Arabic philosophy in the medieval Islamic world include: al-Farabi and Avicenna (Persia); Averroës (Andalusian Spain); and Ibn Khaldūn (Egypt).

~ Curiously, Christian and Jewish thinkers also participated in and influenced the Islamic or Arabic philosophical movements.

~ The first period from the 9th to the 12th (or 14th) century is referred to as classical or early Islamic philosophy. After that time, interest in the movement declined due to lack of supporters. However, there were and are still those who pursued a course of philosophical study to this day.

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The articles in the Encyclopedia Brittanica provided a great introduction to Islamic/Arabic philosophy. 

Additionally, I would like to recommend one more article published via Encyclopedia.com which is a much easier read. Arabian Philosophy | Encyclopedia.com.


This is my stopping point.

If you know more about this topic, please share.

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Gangsta Quotes … Uh! Question Mark?

Came across a Twitter account that shares quotes by notorious gangsters.  Such quotes always interest me.  They call themselves wise guys.  I am curious about their wisdom.  I scanned tweets that dated all the way back to 2012.  I found some surprises in the tweet stream.  Quotes one would not expect to find filed under “GangstaQuotes”.  Sharing them below.  It was like finding hidden treasure in plain view.  The quotes need no additional explanation.

#1 Frederick Douglas Quote?

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” ~Frederick Douglass, abolitionist & author http://t.co/pPTvX5Ix

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) February 25, 2012

#2 Julius Caesar Quote?

"Cowards die many times before their actual deaths." ~Julius Caesar, Roman Dictator (100BCE - 44BCE) pic.twitter.com/xp427jINQE

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) December 12, 2015

#3 Sun Tzu Quote?

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory."~Sun Tzu, strategist and author of "The Art of War." pic.twitter.com/ruA2tErIJt

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) August 16, 2015

#4 Martin Luther King Quote?

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968) pic.twitter.com/VWOjm9414n

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) January 19, 2015

#5 You Don’t Need to be Gangster to Get Arrested.

September 1958. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama. He was 27 years old. pic.twitter.com/1U9e6o1PLE

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) January 16, 2014

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Content first published at Virily.com.

Religion and Philosophy: Questions and Answers: TO LIE OR NOT TO LIE

This question was asked in a forum. 

TO LIE OR NOT TO LIE

by ebanreb » 

Sometimes we are in a situation where we are confronted with so many problems which lead to a point to make a decision whether to lie or not to lie.

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This was my response.

A lie is willful and deliberate intent to deceive. That's how someone explained or defined a LIE to me. They told me to use that as my guide. Another guide that I use? Jesus called Satan the father of lies. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”   (John 8:44) I don't know much, but I do know if there is deception or deceit involved in something you're doing, then it's not good. If it's not good then it must be bad or evil. Also, I don't like the idea of being one of Satan's children. So the answer is NO.

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A lie is even far more grave and serious than a fairy tale like Pinocchio would lead you to believe. I appreciated the question as it gave me a chance for some and serious thought and reflection.

How would you have answered this question?

: Would you be interested in joining ForumCoin and responding to more questions like this?  Every once in a while we like to put on our philosopher's hat and discuss the meaning of life.  However, the mood at the site is not always so somber and serious.  Sometimes we play games, chit chat with each other about miscellaneous things, share ideas and tips on how to make money online, and just hang out!  It's a social site that pays. 

Come join us at ForumCoin.

  

Related articles:

• My Worry-Free Philosophy

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• Quotes and Notes : Philosophy : Confucius Wisdom and Quotes

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• Philosophy : Patience and Happiness Are Not the Same

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#graceunderfire #courageunderfire #Humor and #Truth

People who do wrong and know they did wrong and refuse to repent.


Don't wrestle with them. Just turn the other cheek walk away.


No, you're not moving because you're afraid God might destroy the righteous with the wicked.


You're just getting out of the way because you don't want to get run over by a bunch of stampeding non-repenting hard heads who looking for a hiding place, trying to dodge lightning bolts.


That's my advice. It worked for me. If you don't want to follow it, you on your own!

#graceunderfire #courageunderfire 

#Humor and #Truth  ❤

Fished this out of my Facebook memories , posted August 21, 2013 at 2:27pm ·

English: Lightning over Las Cruces, New Mexico Deutsch: Blitz eines Gewitters Español: Tormenta eléctrica. Português: A eletricidade em sua manifestação natural mais imponente: o relâmpago (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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How to stay safe in thunder and lightning (telegraph.co.uk)