Commentary on Meditations: B1.14

14. From Severus: love of family, love of truth, love of justice; to have come by his help to understand Thrasea, Helvidius, Cato, Dio, Brutus; to have conceived the idea of a balanced constitution, a commonwealth based on equality and freedom of speech, and of a monarchy which values above all the liberty of the subject; from him, too, a constant and vigorous respect for philosophy; beneficence, unstinting generosity, optimism; his confidence in the affection of his friends, his frankness with those who met with his censure, and open likes and dislikes, so that his friends did not need to guess at his wishes.

Love of family is one of the center pieces of discipline of action.  One of our closest circles of concern is with our family.  We should love and serve them foremost.

Regarding love of truth and justice, the only good is moral good and squared with that, is the love of truth and justice.  Determining the truth is not easy. It takes time and effort to arrive at it.  Love of justice is nothing other the love of others.  The less we are centered on ourselves and more on others, the closer we move to justice.

Next, Marcus admires Severus’s idea of a balanced constitution based on the principals of equality and freedom of speech which are pillars in the modern-day Republic of the United States.  One of the first times I read this passage from Meditations, I was also reading a book about Cato, entitled “Rome's Last Citizen.” Cato fought for the same ideals which Marcus appreciates and admires in this passage.

The next part of the passage discusses Severus’s vigorous respect for philosophy. I often wonder how many people simply float through life and are aimless.  If one does not think about and determine their philosophy, they will most likely allow others to guide and persuade them.  I always try to encourage those near to me in life to study and think about philosophy and then conclude what their philosophy should be. I would love to see required philosophy courses in high school, placed on the same level as math, reading and science.

Severus was generous and optimistic. We too can learn to do good and to serve others.  Be generous with your time and money.  Seek ways to improve your community, your nation, and the world. Also, being optimistic about events and the future doesn't cost a thing. You can have an optimistic attitude and live life in good faith.

Lastly, it seems that Severus was quite transparent. He didn’t seem to hide his affection for his friends, and it made it quite clear to others what his opinion of them was. It seems most people knew where he stood with his opinions of others.