“Take a good hard look at people’s ruling principle, especially of the wise, what they run away from and what they seek out.”
MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.38
The author Ryan Holiday provides an excellent quote from Seneca, to help explain the quote above: “Without a ruler to do it against, you can’t make crooked straight.” We need an example to follow, a golden standard to observe so that we can make sure we’re doing it right.
Whoever you seek to be more like — whether it’s a business mogul, a philosopher, or a writer — hopefully they’re somebody that you consider to be wise. And assuming they are, then you should watch what they do. Observe their behavior to see which people and which events they steer clear of. Which temptations do they avoid? And conversely, keep an eye on what they actively gravitate toward. What do they consciously seek out?
Then take this knowledge and apply it to your own life. Emulate the wise by adopting their behaviors and their tendencies. If you respect their thought processes, their priorities, and their values — then spend some time trying to model the same in your own life. This is the guidance from The Daily Stoic today.
