True Character is Defined by Action, not Praise

Opening

As we begin studying Ancient Rome and prepare to watch Gladiator, I asked my History Through Film kids to respond to one lesson from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations – a collection of statements written during his rule as Emperor of Rome between 170 and 180 CE. Aurelius was a Stoic. I thought to add my own reflection here, and I invite you (dear reader) to consider these lessons in your own life. Feel free to add a comment if one strikes you.

• You cannot control external events, but you have absolute power over your own thoughts and judgments.
• Anxiety comes from imagining worst-case futures; the present moment is all you truly possess.
• Every impediment in your way can become an action or an opportunity for growth.
• Public approval is empty, and true character is defined by your own actions rather than praise.
• Life is short, which should inspire you to drop petty worries and focus on living virtuously right now.
• Humans are made to help one another, and performing your duty to society is fulfilling your natural function.

Action Over Praise

He got the fourth one right.

While praise feels like the sun’s warmth on a fall day, our actions should first come from the goodness of our souls. We must be comfortable in satisfying ourselves with virtuous behavior. That moment of guilt or regret you feel immediately after stealing the last cookie at Grandma’s is your conscience speaking.

Last Friday, two parents missed their conference time with me at 4:45. I finished at 5:30 and raced to my apartment to shower before hitting the road to visit Kaitlynn, my girlfriend. Just as I was adjusting the water, I grabbed my phone for music. One Missed Call. Some parents were waiting for me. First, a check of my calendar showed no conferences. Second, I wondered if it was the folks who didn’t show up earlier. Excitedly, I pulled my slacks back on, tossed on a teal polo, and stepped into my LL Bean moccasins. Downstairs, I found the staff member who called me. I mentioned not having an appointment at 5:30 and leaving the shower. The staff member chuckled and left, likely going home. The meeting with both parents went well.

The Case Against Aurelius

Aurelius wrote Meditations while campaigning against German tribes on the Danube River. Why? For the glory and power of Rome. What is glory if not praise at the largest of scales? My initial thought fell to hypocrisy.

Defense of the Statement

However, Kaitlynn offered a rebuttal when I shared my reflection: he was a man living in a judgmental world. One that demanded action and rarely true character.

Aurelius may have been etching out a world he wished existed on a wider scale. When he was faced with a rival who announced himself emperor, Aurelius “was prepared to forgive Cassius and the others involved,” according to Donald J. Robertson. Aurelius fought in the belief that he was protecting his people.

Aurelius’ private notebook, Meditations, was not meant for publication – at least by its owner. Gregory Hays writes that the original “work was entitled ‘Things to one’s self’ (Ta eis heauton).” It’s highly plausible that Aurelius simply didn’t title his writing. The first printed edition didn’t appear until 1559, nearly 1,400 years after he died.

Where We Part

Today, Aurelius’ name and beliefs live on. I don’t expect to have such a global impact, but who doesn’t want to be remembered when they die? I am still working on a documentary about an ancestor from the 17th century. Maybe, just maybe, someone three hundred years from now will be curious about me.

Here I break with Aurelius, at least a little. He’d call the hunger for fame foolish. On Friday, I didn’t return to conferences for praise. My first thought was the excitement of meeting more parents. To have an administrator recognize me was secondary (and unfulfilled). I still enjoyed the discussion. Desiring praise is a natural human trait; we simply need to put action first. Wanting to be remembered isn’t wrong, as long as I live a virtuous life.

Related Reading

Being Alone In One’s Own Company

Philosopher Kings

Bibliography

Hays, Gregory. Introduction to Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius. Translated by Gregory Hays. Vreeman.com. Accessed October 13, 2026. https://vreeman.com/meditations/.

Robertson, Donald J. “Webinar: Marcus Aurelius on Anger.” December 8, 2017. https://donaldrobertson.name/2017/12/07/webinar-marcus-aurelius-on-anger/.