“Hold sacred your capacity for understanding. For in it is all, that our ruling principle won’t allow anything to enter that is either inconsistent with nature or with the constitution of a logical creature. It’s what demands due diligence, care for others, and obedience to God.”
MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 3.9
At first blush, today’s quote in The Daily Stoic seems rather run-of-the-mill, almost boring even. But upon closer examination and a little bit of deciphering, the true meaning comes out.
We have an awesome power of understanding which sets the stage for all the other good and true things in our life. What appears to be the most insignificant part of this quote, “For in it is all”, is actually the most important. This means literally that everything flows from our ability to understand, analyze, and ultimately apply what we’ve learned.
Not everyone has this ability. Some people live their entire lives chained to a lack of awareness. But by digging for deeper understanding as you study philosophy and stoicism, you’re unlocking the tremendous power of your reason — and that will set you free.
