Stoic Quote of the Day

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

From my great-grandfather: not to have attended schools for the public; to have had good teachers at home, and to realize that this is the sort of thing on which one should spend lavishly.
— Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the value of personalized, quality education, suggesting that investing in our personal development is one of the wisest uses of resources. This idea can be applied to today's world where education often takes standard forms, like traditional schooling, and yet personal learning experiences—mentored for our specific needs, strengths, and aspirations—remain invaluable. Much like Marcus, we can choose to prioritize our learning environments, seeking mentors and experiences that cultivate our growth and intellectual curiosity. In modern terms, this could mean seeking out courses, workshops, or even online resources that align closely with our unique goals and not hesitating to invest time and money in these opportunities. Such investment is not merely about attaining knowledge but about nurturing our ability to think independently, adapt to life's challenges, and understand the deeper aspects of our existence. By focusing on this kind of personal education, we empower ourselves to live more fulfilled and thoughtful lives, just as Marcus Aurelius learned from his family’s choice to prioritize personal tutelage over public education systems.