Part 11/14:
An essential Stoic teaching is that virtue is universally attainable. The capacities for wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance are inherent to human nature. Therefore, moral improvement depends on deliberate effort, not social status.
Marcus Aurelius often reminds himself that external circumstances—wealth, social position, external approval—are irrelevant compared to inner moral integrity. The essential exercise is self-control, disciplined reflection, and service.
The Inner Life and the Path Toward Serenity
Throughout his "Meditations," Marcus foresees life's final moment and confronts mortality with calmness, emphasizing that death is a natural phase. This acceptance alleviates fear and promotes living in accordance with nature's law.