Stoic Freemasonry: Masonic Lessons from Marcus Aurelius
Unveiling the Timeless Lessons of Stoic Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the Teachings of Freemasonry
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, born April 26th in the year 121 AD, was a Roman emperor, Stoic philosopher, and one of history’s greatest leaders.
Considered one of the “Five Good Emperors” of the last peaceful period of the Roman empire before its division in 395 AD and subsequent decline, Marcus is now most commonly remembered for his Meditations, a series of notes, thoughts, and journal entries about Stoic philosophy.
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means to overcome destructive emotions.
The philosophy encourages accepting things that are beyond our control, like the events of the world, and focusing instead on our own behaviour, attitudes, and reactions, which we can control. Stoics aim to maintain inner peace, make rational decisions, and behave justly, regardless of external circumstances.
Stoicism is about finding inner calm and emotional resilience, no matter what life throws at us
You may be wondering, where is the overlap between Stoicism and Freemasonry? Are they not two separate ideologies?
One way in which they overlap is through Ancient Greek architecture. The Ancient Greeks were the first to introduce a standardized set of architectural rules that went on to influence Roman architecture and, as a result, architecture to this day. At the start of what is now known as the Classical period of architecture, ancient Greek architecture developed into three distinct orders: the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
These 3 Noble Orders of Architecture, which originated in Ancient Greece, are prominent throughout Freemasonry. It is easy to see that Masonic and Stoic principles are not separate but rather congruent in their teachings.
While there is a lot to learn from Freemasonry itself, sometimes learning from other philosophies can help us further discover those principles inside of our own Craft.
7 Quotes from Marcus Aurelius and Their Masonic Lessons
1. “You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Freemasonry teaches us that while the world around us is often beyond our control, we always have control over our thoughts, actions, and reactions. Just as Aurelius suggests, Freemasonry tells us that true strength comes from mastering our own minds and maintaining our integrity in any situation.
2. “Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. Think constantly on the changes of the elements into each other, for such thoughts wash away the dust of earthly life.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Freemasonry teaches us to marvel at the wonders of the world and appreciate our place in it. This doesn't mean ignoring life's difficulties but rather seeing them in the context of the bigger picture, much like watching the stars and realizing our own significance in the grand scheme of things.
3. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Much like Aurelius, Freemasonry emphasizes that our thoughts play a pivotal role in shaping our lives. It encourages its members to cultivate a positive, charitable, and generous mindset, which in turn, fosters happiness and contentment.
4. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Freemasonry underscores the importance of tolerance and understanding. It tells us that every person has their own viewpoint, which might differ from ours, and we should respect this diversity rather than insisting on our own perspective as the absolute truth.
It is important to note that Freemasonry also states, The Great Architect is the one who has given us Truth through the Volume of Sacred Law and instructs us to pursue Truth.
5. “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Freemasonry is all about turning principles into actions. Rather than debating endlessly about the qualities that make a good man, Freemasonry urges its members to embody these virtues in their everyday life, much like Aurelius' call to action.
6. “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Freemasonry echoes Aurelius' sentiment by teaching its members that pain and distress are often not caused by external circumstances but our reactions to them. It encourages adopting a stoic attitude, acknowledging that we have the power to change our response to life's challenges at any moment.
7. “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…”
- Marcus Aurelius
Freemasonry instils an appreciation for life's simple yet profound gifts – to be alive, to think, to enjoy, and to love. This aligns with Aurelius' wisdom, reminding us to always start our day with gratitude for the basic yet beautiful privileges of life.
In conclusion,
Whether we're considering the wisdom of an ancient Roman Emperor or the teachings of Freemasonry, it's clear that these principles hold universal value.
From practicing self-control to fostering positive thoughts, appreciating life's beauty to embodying virtue in action, the wisdom they offer is timeless.
These teachings remind us of the power of perspective, the importance of tolerance, and the enriching practice of gratitude. Life, after all, is less about the events that happen to us and more about how we respond to them.
Both Aurelius and Freemasonry invite us to take a step back, view our lives through a larger lens, and truly understand what it means to live with dignity, resilience, and joy.
These aren't just philosophical musings or esoteric teachings but practical, everyday wisdom that can make our lives richer, fuller, and more meaningful.