March 13

Day 72/365: Marcus Aurelius on setbacks

Author

Logan
March 13, 2025

Welcome to The Stoic Ledger, a daily money meditation from one of the Stoic sages.

72/365: Marcus Aurelius on setbacks

“Just as nature takes every obstacle, every impediment, and works around it—turns it to its purposes, incorporates it into itself—so, too, a rational being can turn each setback into raw material and use it to achieve its goal.” – Marcus Aurelius

 

What impediments are blocking you?

When a massive log falls across a stream, the stream finds a new path. The log didn’t ruin the stream, rather served as raw material for a new direction. There was no complaint, no alarm ringing, just acceptance and adaptation.

We can stew over the setbacks or use them to go in new, natural directions. The choice in this matter is ours.

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