Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: The Stoic Ideal
You can find The Meditations here amzn.to/3SSc1Hy
"Fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you one on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round - remembering that the man who always fights one more round is never whipped."
Gentleman Jim Corbett, world champion boxer and world class stoic
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Dr. Michael Sugrue earned his BA at the University of Chicago and PhD at Columbia University.
Rest in peace King. Thank you for everything Professor. You may have never met me but you have been my companion over these last few years. This lecture is now bittersweet with your passing. You have started a fire in me for Philosophy I didn't know I was capable of burning. I hope one day to be able to teach the next generation also.
He wasn't a king. He was just a great man. Why do people keep calling people kings these days? I don't think people know what it means. Dr Sugrue was a good man and if you understood anything in this particular lecture it's that this is enough. Rest in peace Dr Sugrue.
Perhaps the full meaning of king is not present in your understanding of the word.
@@creepysleeping4901It's not that deep, man. It's just a sign of respect
@@creepysleeping4901😅
I back this message, the only thing any type of person should ever manage to value is towards some good evidence based knowledge
"All men suffer, but not all men pity themselves." Damn, that hits hard.
What does pity mean? English is my second language. :')
@@callejerox7919 To feel sorry for yourself
@@chriskelly3491 thank you. Now it makes sense! :)
@@callejerox7919 could’ve just googled it. Not in a rude way, but it’s faster for you.
Now I am pitying myself for being on both of those categories of men!
Today we lost a great man whose words changed our way of thinking and being. This lecture, especially, changed my life. Your physical being is gone, but your thoughts and words are with us all in this section of KZhead. RIP.
Those aren’t his words. But I get what you mean.’
I learned that he died today, I came to listen and pay tribute to this lecture. Rest in peace Legend.
His lectures will stand for the next 50 years at least. Incredible
This lecture got uploaded by another account and gathered millions of views. Glad he has his own channel now and is getting the credit he deserves.
I watch this lecture every so often, and since seeing he has is own channel, I always have to do a bit of extra searching to make sure I find and watch this video and not the others.
Is that what happened! I was wondering where that original video went. Thanks again comment section :)
I still have the original link bookmarked here lol kzhead.info/sun/aJxyZ8iFjnyfhoU/bejne.html
@@tuningsnow It's been taken down.
You know, it's human nature to upload someone else's videos. The stoic thing is to then create your own channel and upload it yourself.
Thanks for making the world a little better. Rest in peace.
"Do not preach your philosophy, embody it" Marcus Aurelias is the perfect example of this quote.
The head bites the tail, in death they are born again
I dont see how thats a wrong thing though, no matter what ones values or whatever lies, if someone only talks about something and never follows any of it, isent that at least a bit strange, the guy who wrote that book seemed to be self reflective, and I think people forget that people were self reflective back then to he just happened to be an emporor but I dont think it happens very often, but I dont agree with the stocicms ``be very hard on yourself`` or have some indiffrence to everything, I dont think thats possible in all situations, its not as healthy, but I do like that one thing that ``do not preach your philosphy, emody it`` I do respect that and I also take what he says a bit more serious in that I think he is honest and belive what he is saying, since its meant what he was writing for himself, were alot of times these days people just say intulectual things just to hear themsels say it, what we call influencers today, is not influencal at all or that important its only shallow fame and most of them dont really do anything other then buy a cup of cappeino and then go home and blog about it, the word is good though influencer if it was only used for people like jimi hendrix, or shakespear o whatever people who actually have something to contribute with, instead of shallow cappecino drinking likes on some dopamine social platform
One of the reason why I like americans and their culture is this discourse, unhinged unfiltered and very researched
@@aakarshchaudhary7359what country are y from why are y the one sounding unhinged what does very researched mines?
Bingo. That is the best take you can get from this.
Imagine the amount of hours this man has put into reading and studying and yet he gives it to us all for free! What a truly remarkable era we live in, so happy to find a gem channel like this!
I’d like to talk to his wife and get the real scoop. Like what is he like to live with? Hee Hee A true inspiration, hosting wise insight and sincere Stoic Philosophy.
@@lindaardigo5456 Like he said, Marcus Aurelius is a better man than he, but the fact he was able to so passionately and succinctly divulge such valuable knowledge is commendable as is. (btw i know your comment was tongue-in-cheek, just seemed worth saying regardless.)
That's how knowledge construction works the best, by far: being freely shared, with no restrictions or hesitations.
"They were the worst of times, they were the best of times"
@@lindaardigo5456😊9😊😊😊😊
This lecture has changed my life. I'm highly neurotic and have difficulty coping with minor problems, but the way that Professor Sugrue presents Marcus Aurelius has challenged me to hold myself to higher standards. Whenever I have difficulty sleeping at night, I listen to this lecture like a bedtime story and it never gets old. I have been reading Stoic literature but none of them are as inspirational as this talk. Thank you for sharing this with the world.
Bless you Yiding!
as someone who has listened to this nearing 100 times I completely agree
Bless you my friend, and wish you plenty of strength and success
Reeeeeee can't cope
What's your condition 10 months later?
RIP. This could be the best video on all of KZhead.
It is, and thank god for that.
I 100% agree. I listened to this on repeat in hospital.
A sudden shock from the comment section,I didn't know this great teacher of humanity is no more,Rest in peace.I was just rewatching this masterpiece for some academic purposes,Mankind will remember your contribution.
I regret not being able to do this earlier - you will live on in my memory!
Who else here for the 500th time?
It's my 3rd time watching
It’s my 100th actually! Glad to hear I’m not the only who listens to this regularly 😊
First time and I’m 56. Wow. Beautiful
“You can’t help but feel like at the end of his life he must have felt relieved. That the terrible crushing burden of this loneliness - a man that has no equals and no friends, a man that has nothing but philosophy to guide him - death must have been a great release. It’s like getting the evening off after you’ve put in your turn guarding the camp. And instead of becoming an obscure and unimportant figure, he’s become a symbol in the history of western philosophy.” I had the privilege of being a student of Dr. Sugrue’s at Ave Maria and only learned that he had these online video lectures today when I heard of his passing. It’s fitting that the legacies left with these lectures allows him to become the modern day version of that symbol of philosophy that he describes of Marcus Aurelius, even after death. RIP
Listening this on the day of his death to commemorate this great teacher. He changed many lives.
I came here to pay my respects. RIP Professor Sugrue.
This man's command of the English language is so good. No notes to look at, just spoke and embodied the topic of philosophy that he loves, as he taught. Had me saying woooow at the end of the video.
I know right? How he's able to seamlessly articulate his sentences without having notes and bullet points to draw from really speaks to both his domain of the english language and the countless topics brought up and mentioned in the lecture. It leaves me in awe, and inspired to inch myself to his level with every passing day.
exactly
stop and think about it!
Its not about the english language its about how he knows all this informations and tell it to a crowd without any mistakes
@@ulflurken221 it’s because he’s memorized majority of his notes beforehand countless times …
RIP Dr. This lecture is a gem 💎: “Marcus Aurelius let us know that all people suffer, but that not all people pity themselves. Marcus Aurelius lets us know that all men die, but that not all men die whining.”
RIP to my favorite stand up stoic
1/16/2024 Rest in Peace Michael, we love you
I love how many times he says "if you stop and think about it". It's a powerful piece of advice if you stop and think about it
Now that i have stopped to think about it i really see where he's coming from.
Yes agree that quote also changed my mind and helped me stop and think about it and im sure the majority of people this days can make their lives more valuable if they stop and think about it.
A phrase most Americans never heard of in their lives. Hence the current state of our country through the President they voted in.
Now stop and think about that
I literally stop this video every now and then to think about the ideas Dr. Surge talks about.
05:30 - The wise man fears only abdicating his moral responsibility. 07:19 - Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that "greatness is the perception that virtue is enough." 10:22 - Lord Action said that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And that's generally speaking, true. The difficulty with that generalization... is Marcus Aurelius. 11:49 - Marcus Aurelius is the one example of an absolute ruler who behaves himself in such a way as not to disgrace himself. 12:34 - Imagine anything that the Brauns desiring emotional irrational parts of your souls want, and now imagine that you can have it. 14:46 - He's not afraid of being dead. He's not afraid of being in pain. He's not afraid to have people laugh at him. He's only afraid of doing what's wrong. He's only afraid of making chaos of his soul. 15:58 - It's a standing reproach to our self-indulgence. 16:08 - Marcus wrote this manuscript without intending to have it published. After his death he wanted to have it burned. 16:40 - Marcus Aurelius writes a book to himself, because he's the loneliest man in the world. 20:00 - Yet we ought not to pity Marcus Aurelius, because if he looked at our lives he would pity us. Of that he said "well I'd pity you back if I didn't think that was disrespectful." 20:22 - Think about what it takes to be something like Marcus Aurelius. We shall not see his like again. 24:14 - What's unnerving about this is that there's not the slightest taint of hypocrisy in it. He not only says this stuff, he acts this stuff. He not only talks the talk he walks the walk, and he does it and he does it under worse and more difficult circumstances, than you failed to do it! And yet he still likes us. 25:11 - Are you weary of enduring the bad men of the world? The gods aren't and they made them. Are you really weary of enduring the bad men of the world... especially given that you're one of them? 26:46 - Even in a palace it is possible to live well. 41:57 - All people suffer, but not all people pity themselves.
Thanks for that!
Thank you for this. Quick edit suggestion: Lord “Acton”, not Lord Action
Bro took his time to mark the video. 👌👍
Great index! I wonder if there were other people in history who exemplified thinking like this? Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching has many similar conceptions of wise but powerful leadership.
@@AnAlgernon I had the same thought. Stoicism seems to be a Western version of Zen, and vice versa.
“We cannot lose the memories of such a great man.” That is me spreading this video to my peers.
This video was a random recommendation to many but likely changed the lives of tons of people, either from piquing the interest into the practical side of philosophy for a lot of young people or giving beautifully articulate lectures on the history of the Western thought, Michael Segrue did a great service to us all. Both in his years of active education and the few years of being retired and making KZhead videos after that, his contributions will be remembered dearly in the hearts of this generation, and all of those who watch these videos after. RIP Dr. Segrue, you will be deeply missed and your legacy will live on in the transformed minds of the countless youths you have transformed.
I truly believe this mans lectures have had some change in the world.
They're still having.
Convinced my monkey ass from rage quitting.
> This is the official KZhead channel of Dr. Michael Sugrue. I have been dying to read these words.
I have transscribed this lecture and added footnotes. If Mr. Sugrue was interested in it I'd give it to him to use as he wished. This really is the best introduction to Stoicism.
@@rrbone Do you mind sharing your transcription?
@@porraenmascarada I'd be glad to. I'll have to post it online and add a link.
@@rrbone please do
@@rrbone Yes pls!
As a struggling young man who doesn’t fully understand himself, this was profound. Really pushed me to change some of my personal self-views.
Powerful Stuff, isn't it?
@@tdesq.2463 Indeed it is.
Good on yis
Great job young man! Continue on your quest for honorable manhood. -A friend, who’s been there
Behaving in such a manner will help give your life real meaning, and the Stoic attitude tends to allow you to help those around you be better, as well. Good luck in your journey, young man.
To the man who introduced a vital role in my life. Rest in peace and God bless.
i find myself coming back here time and time again to watch this. don’t disgrace yourself
I am donating 10 dollars but I want to say your videos are worth much more. Very much more. I took a lot of philosophy courses in college and your lectures are better than any I have ever listened to.
so true
I almost feel as though I am breaking the law by listening to this guy while paying for my real life incompetent teachers hehe 😜
@@todorkovacevic Same here in Switzerland:)
❣
Hands down the best lecture in academia. A great man teaching us about another great man and showing us what true virtue is. You have changed many lives for the better and your lessons will inspire the generations to come. Rest in peace, professor Sugrue.
Rest in peace, Dr. Segrue. Thank you for everything.
Rest in Peace. You added to humanity's wealth. You gave selflessly. Your light has not gone out. You showed us what we need to aspire to.
Im not one to care about celebrity deaths but man... this one hurts Rest in peace Micheal, your lectures are what sparked my interest in philosophy
R.I.P. 😥 Michael Sugrue, thank you for the lectures. "He who fears death fears either unconsciousness or another sort of consciousness. Now if you will no longer be conscious either of anything bad. If you are to take on a different consciousness, you will be a different being and life will not cease." Marcus Aurelius
Rest in peace, good Doctor. Thank you for all you taught us.
This guy is a true master of speech, how is he not famous?
Aurelius would probably say that fame is for the arena and the amphitheater.
Poka you crave and worship fame. Is this because of the culture or deep desire?
Deep desire I’m sure
@@pearz420 But if the gods deem the speaker's role to spread the knowledge to be the best actuator of himself, then fame is what would enable the greatest virtue.
Stoicism in general and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations in particular turned my life around. I used to make myself physically sick with nerves before a presentation at school or in the office, to the point that I would be unable to sleep for days before and could barely eat. I worried what people would think of me if I screwed up, or looked fat, or if my clothes looked weird, or if I said something wrong and offended someone, etc. It was only after repeating a mantra of "in a 100 years nobody is going to remember today or even that you were alive at all" that I was able to conquer my nerves. Some people find the thought of oblivion depressing, but for me it is a truly liberating thought!
ur just zoom out from bird perspective how tiny everything is and there is no sense in anything. just an ape on a rocket flying through the universe
❤
Man 5 yrs you are forgotten by many .
Good night sir and rest, assured you made this place better.
Rip my friend. The world has lost so much clarity. Possibly the best living philosopher has left this earthly form.
11:20 *absolute power reveals absolutely* “In [Aurelius’] case, power didn’t corrupt, _absolute power did not corrupt absolutely._ Instead absolute power allowed us to see what the man underneath the body is really like-it allowed us to find out what Marcus Aurelius’ soul is like. Imagine a man for whom all the restraints of law and custom and political order are taken away-he could have whatever he wants. If a man under those circumstances behaves well, you know something about the soul underneath because no external constraint is making him do what he is doing. And Marcus Aurelius is the one example of an absolute ruler who behaves himself in such a way as not to disgrace himself.”
Man I love reading this in his voice
This literal equation, every man and woman should consider.. To the best of their cumulative, that their literal equation is..
he also lived in a very very challenging age. The Marcomannic wars stretched Rome to its limits as it was waged in conjunction with war with Parthia. He also had to deal with a devastating plague.
Don't forget about Cincinnatus too
@@carlrodalegrado4104 hell ya
Love looking at the comments and seeing how many people’s lives have been bettered from kind, wise people like u dr. RIP Legend ❤
May Professor Sugrue rest in peace.
'You knew Marcus Aurelius?' 'I did not say I knew him I said I watched a lecture on him once!'
"I will give the people a vision of Stoicism and they will love me for it"
Lol
After watching this video you can probably claim to know him.
Lol classic
Rest in peace, Dr. Sugrue. Thank you for sharing your gift with us, illuminating the world of Western philosophy - even in your final days on earth. Your lectures have truly changed my life. A brilliant mind and legendary scholar.
Rest in peace good doctor, this lecture changed my life.
Thank you for all you did.
RIP my dear teacher. As an Indian student, I have obtained a great insight on how Western philosophy is rooted. Now I can correlate in Indian subcontinent context. RIP Sir and Om Shanti. May your soul attain enternal peace and spread the knowledge wherever you are. 🙏
Many thanks for the hours of insight!
Why would you bother thanking him? Do you think he doesn’t know he did a good job? What pointless drivel
@@MM-op6ti its ironic you are watching Marcus Aurelius teachings yet you are trying to control what other people are doing.
@@user-dr9dz8hh1f 😂
@@user-dr9dz8hh1f brilliant
@@MM-op6ti what does they doing a good job and knowing it, have to do with someone's appreciation for the service provided ?
Rest in pease sir. You got me through hell.
Rest in peace Dr Sugrue may your interpretations and name live on forever
Dr. Sugrue, you will be missed forever and always
I knew stoicism and Marcus Aurelius only this year and I am 50. Better late that never.
Yes
Like this video, comment and share. Let's spread this lecture to all in memory of Dr. Michael Sugrue.
Rest in peace Dr. Sugrue, may your words live on for many years to come.
I'm still in total disbelief hearing the sad news about my great teacher Dr Surgue. If he's teachings are true he would be speaking with Marcus Aurelius above 👍🏆🇦🇺
May you rest in peace. You have earned my utmost gratitude. You are a great person.
Just heard the news of your passing rip brother
may you be reincarnated as the philosopher king Dr. Sugrue, you will be dearly missed by every stoic soul, thanks for your final gift in these lectures that you were gracious enough to share RIP Dr Michael Sugrue (1957-2024)
Rip sir you have touched many lives mine included
This professor does not know me but I watched this video 4 years ago. I have been practising stoicism ever since and I have greatly elevated my life and that of those around me with the guidance of philosophy. I read Epictetus works, Seneca's letters and Meditations over 3 times just to try to understand better. I now guide friends and have introduced several people to Marcus Aurelius. I keep coming back to this video because this is the most eloquent description of Marcus Aurelius that I have ever seen Thank you for your work!
Same here i've been practising Stoicism for 3+ years now. I would recommend you start reading Plato next.
@@nathangriffiths2851 Thanks a lot, I should do this!
Same here ! I would highly recommend this book : How to Be a Stoic | Massimo Pigliucci How to practice stoicism in everyday life .. because stoicism is a practice.
Why would you brag about it narcisist ?
@@ViralVirus Thank you for the book referral.
Rest in peace, we will all miss you but your lectures will live on
Rest in peace sir. I've benefited immensely as a student in Turkiye.
Rest In Peace Dr. Sugrue. This lecture helped me turn my life around, thank you for this gift of knowledge.
Rest in peace, Doctor. Your seeds have spread and now it’s our job to spread them.
Rest in Peace ❤🙏☮️
Rip Dr. Sugrue
I had no idea that I was seeking stoicism my whole life. Thanks for uploading this gem.
Stoicism helped me find God
@@jaysonsacobie4617 Same. It's probably the closest philosophical idea to the Christian faith. Especially when u read books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastics and Job
Stoicism is what Christians are suppose to be. Totally lost interest in organisd religion after listening to this. Yeah, I found God and my salvation better this way.
It saddens me that I didn’t get to know about stoic philosophy until I was 29 years old. It has had such a large effect on my life, and it could’ve had such a huge effect on me in my teenage years. I guess it’s better than having never known about it at all.
Buddha said, "Forgiveness demands that you give up all hope of a better past". His disciples objected, insisting that improving the past makes no sense. Buddha said nothing.
I am not ashamed to admit that I have learned from Jesus and Buddha, Plato and Marcus, Al Farabi and Confucius and Maimonides and Rumi, even from a large collection of fools as well. If you cannot learn from fools by watching their conduct, you are one of them.
Late 20s better than never 👍
29 is so YOUNG😂everything is relative. Amor fati
Late twenties still counts as being young.
Thank you Dr, even in death you keep on helping me. Glad I came back to this lecture.
Here to thank Professor Sugrue for the lectures which inspired a life of learning. Rest in Peace and thank you for the profound impact you have had on my life. You will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace. Listening today to remember you. Thank you for all your lectures, but especially this one. You will be missed.
Rest in peace professor and thank you for everything ❤️
When I was around 20 I downloaded this lecture and listened to it every single day. I know it by heart now. I'm 34 now and still comforts me to no end, sharp, profound, useful. I owe it to be my first contact with Marcus Aurelius. And to have startes a lifelong interest in Roman culture and stoic philosophy
That discovery is what's meant by the term: Watershed Moment. 👍✌️💪
I am 21 started listening to it every alternate day around December last year. hits me every time.
Was Adhd and never listen to a video for 25mins, but this Video captured my interest and I have since turn to mp3 and loop many times. Till this day, still seems addictive
This man changed my life. You are missed, Doctor.
This is the most eloquent speech on Stoicism.
RIP Dr.Sugrue
Memento mori rest in peace
Rest in peace. Memento Mori for all of us.
Dr Sugrue, you re-sparked my love for philosophy, and re-inspired my love for history. My heart goes out to your family, and I will return to your lectures for the rest of my life. Thank you, and Rest In Peace Philosopher King.
Miss you bro
He was truly one of the best lecturers of our time. For the last two years I nearly always watched one of his lectures in the evening before going to bed. This one stands out as being the best one. It has had a profound impact on my life and on the lives of my friends I was able to introduce this lecture to! Thank you for everything you have done and for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us. You will be missed.
I am saddened to hear of his passing. He reminds me of one of my philosophy professors who lost their battle with cancer. His passing still affects me to this day, five years later. If you’re reading this, and you are a professor, teacher, or educator, you may never know how much of an impact you have made on a student! Rest in peace Dr. Sugrue and my professor, Dr. Todd. ❤
This is my favorite video all-time on KZhead. It’s so sad to learn he passed away. What an amazing legacy he leaves, we should all be so fortunate.
I have listened to this lecture and others muuuultipel times. You were an amazing rethoriker and seemed to be a great man. Rest well, Professor!
Rest in peace, Michael. Every once in a while, I come back to this brilliant lecture of yours.
I just came across your videos to find that you have passed away not long ago, rest in peace, watching your videos is such a pleasure
RIP Professor. Almost a year ago my Father suddenly fell ill, almost died and had to undergo an emergency quadruple bypass while being admitted for weeks. I was a mess however; I found this lecture at the same time I felt all of my stoic training was for not, I was falling apart. I listened to this lecture during every drive to the hospital, during every ride home, and as I walked the hospital halls and I regained my reason. God bless you Professor, and a loud “THANK YOU”
Dr Michael Sugrue left an indelible mark as a preacher of Greek philosophy. He has migrated from a historian to a philosopher and did his best to live the life of a stoic (other than to cater to the needs of his family). I just learnt that Dr Michael left for Heaven yesterday and i am sure that the greatest Roman emperor and author of "The Meditations", Marcus Aurelius will be happy to meet Dr Michael🙏
All men suffer, but not all men pity themselves. thank you for this lecture totally saved my life
Rest In Peace Dr Sugrue. I’ve listened to this lecture dozens of times and will listen dozens more to come.
This is the greatest lecture that all the humanity should listen and learn from. Thank you very much Dr. Sugrue. Rest heavenly in peace, your heart and soul will be forever remembered in history.
I have listened to this one several times. It's one of my favorites. Thank you, Dr. Sugrue .
I am grateful for all the knowledge and incredible things you taught me. Rest in peace.
Rest in peace Doctor and thank you for all these great thoughts we can appreciate through your videos.
Rest in Peace, Dr. Sugrue.
I come back to this talk every now and then
Just the fact that so many people are here commenting and discussing gives me great hope. In my daily life I encounter so many people that could not care less about moral virtue or what a man like Marcus would have to say. It's refreshing to see so many people who would take time to consider ideas like those presented in this video.
It isn’t trendy enough for the average person.
Average people. But like Marcus Aurelius says, don‘t judge them
Wow cant believe i just found him. Rip homie thanks for the knowledge.
Marcus Aurelius has long been my hero. This lecture confirmed his heroism. May we all one day possess the sheer humanity of Marcus.
It’s the same for you as it for me. ‘We all’ takes one mirror.
Marcus Aurelius changed my life, period.
Marcus Aurelius helped me find god