📃Introduction
What if the most powerful man in the world began his personal journal by thanking the people who shaped his character?
That’s exactly what Marcus Aurelius did in Book One of Meditations. Long before offering reflections on self-mastery or fate, he began with gratitude — honoring family, mentors, and teachers who helped form his values.
Marcus Annius Verus was born in 121 A.D. into a prominent Roman family. Later adopted by Emperor Antoninus Pius, he became Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, ruler of Rome from 161 to 180 A.D., and is remembered as one of history’s most respected philosopher-kings.
Meditations is a collection of his private reflections — written originally in Greek — where he explores character, duty, and inner peace through the lens of Stoic philosophy. This summary is based on the George Long translation (public domain), which preserves the clarity and sincerity of Marcus’s thoughts, though in a classical tone.
Book One of Meditations opens not with philosophical arguments, but with deeply personal expressions of gratitude — to those who influenced his moral character. From his grandfather and mother to tutors, friends, and his adoptive father, he reflects on the virtues each person instilled in him.
What follows is a clear and simple summary of Book One — a short but powerful reflection on character, influence, and gratitude.
🙏 People Who Shaped Marcus - and What he Learned
From my grandfather Verus
From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and government of my temper.
Marcus thanks his grandfather for teaching him self-restraint and the importance of character — a foundation for the Stoic calm he would later practice.
From my father (by memory)
From reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty and a manly character.
Though Marcus lost his father, Annius Verus, early in life, he remembered him as a man of quiet strength and modesty — a memory that helped shape his own ideal of manhood.
From my mother Domitia Calvilla
From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts.
He praises her for her generosity, simplicity, and inner purity — values that grounded Marcus amid the distractions of public life.
From my great-grandfather
From my great-grandfather, to avoid the public schools, and to enjoy good teachers at home.
Marcus appreciated his great-grandfather’s decision to give him a private, thoughtful education, away from the distractions of public schooling — a foundation for his lifelong learning.
From my governor
From my governor, to be neither of the green nor of the blue at the games…not to meddle with people’s affairs, and not to be ready to listen to slander.
Marcus admired his governor’s self-discipline. From him, he learned to avoid distractions, stay neutral in public spectacles, and value hard work over indulgence.
From my tutor Rusticus
From Rusticus, I learned not to be astray to sophistic emulation, nor to writing on speculative matters…..or does benevolent acts in order to make a display.
Rusticus reminded Marcus that true philosophy is not for show, but for life. He taught him to look beyond flattery and stay grounded in truth.
From my tutor Sextus
From Sextus, a benevolent disposition, and the example of a family governed in a fatherly manner, and the idea of living conformably to nature.
Sextus taught Marcus tolerance, calm strength, and the importance of fulfilling public duties with warmth and sincerity. He was a living example of someone who governed both family and self with fatherly care.
From Fronto, my teacher
From Fronto I learned to observe what envy, and duplicity, and hypocrisy are in a tyrant, and that generally those among us who are called Patricians are somewhat lacking in parental affection.
Marcus learned the art of effective communication and how not to interrupt or correct others in a rude way. Fronto also made him aware of the dangers of pride and the masks powerful people often wear.
From Catulus, my friend
From Catulus, not to be indifferent when a friend finds fault, even if unjustly, but to try to restore him to his usual disposition; to speak well of teachers, as it is the duty of a father to his children.
Catulus taught him to handle criticism with grace and to speak respectfully of one’s teachers — a lesson in humility and gentleness in relationships.
From my brother Severus
From Severus, love of family, love of truth, and love of justice.
From Severus, Marcus learned the value of loyalty, truthfulness, and justice — principles that shaped his approach to leadership and helped him maintain steadiness in his Stoic beliefs.
From my adoptive father Antoninus Pius
From my father, I learned gentleness… firmness in purpose… indifference to empty fame… a just temper and a forgiving nature.
Marcus deeply admired his adoptive father’s virtues — gentleness, humility, the courage to admit mistakes, and the ability to treat everyone with fairness and warmth, regardless of status. Even after Antoninus’s death, Marcus looked to his memory for guidance, especially in fulfilling his duties as emperor.
To the gods
It is to the gods that I owe having good grandfathers, good parents, a good sister, good teachers, good servants, good kinsmen and friends…
In his final thanks, Marcus acknowledges the gods for blessing him with good people and a life shaped by virtue. Even with emperor-like power, he bows in humility before fate and fortune — recognizing that much of what made him good was not earned, but given.
From other mentors and friends
- Diognetus - Avoid distractions and think independently.
- Apollonius - Taught the value of liberty and how to remain calm and composed in the face of loss.
- Alexander the grammarian - Showed patience and kindness; taught that it’s better to lead by example than to reproach others.
- Maximus - Demonstrated self-governance and how to live with dignity, grace, and joy.
- Alexander the Platonic - Emphasized that living wisely is more important than merely talking wisely.
Conclusion: A Life Built on Gratitude
Before offering Stoic insights on life and leadership, Marcus Aurelius begins with something quietly powerful: gratitude.
In Book One of Meditations, we meet not just an emperor, but a man shaped by others. Each name he mentions is a reminder that character is not built alone — it’s formed through family, mentors, and friends.
“To have read carefully and not to have been satisfied with a superficial understanding — from Rusticus.”
Marcus doesn’t start with abstract philosophy — he starts with people. These personal notes reveal the heart of Stoicism: strength shaped by example, and wisdom rooted in humility.
No matter who we are, we all owe something to those who came before us. Gratitude, Marcus shows us, is not a soft sentiment — it’s where true growth begins.
Your Turn - Who Would Be in Your Book One?
Try your own version of Book One.
❓ Who are the people who shaped your thinking, values, and actions? What did they teach you — through words or quiet example?
❓ What would your gratitude journal look like? Marcus began his with 17 names.
💭Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, or write your own gratitude list.
And if this post resonated with you, stay tuned for Book Two, where Marcus begins to reflect on daily discipline, mortality, and inner peace — one journal entry at a time.