Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: The Stoic Ideal 

Rest in peace King. Thank you for everything Professor. You may have never met me but you have been my companion over these last few years. This lecture is now bittersweet with your passing. You have started a fire in me for Philosophy I didn't know I was capable of burning. I hope one day to be able to teach the next generation also.

"All men suffer, but not all men pity themselves." Damn, that hits hard.

Today we lost a great man whose words changed our way of thinking and being. This lecture, especially, changed my life. Your physical being is gone, but your thoughts and words are with us all in this section of RU-vid. RIP.

I learned that he died today, I came to listen and pay tribute to this lecture. Rest in peace Legend.

RIP. This could be the best video on all of RU-vid.

Imagine the amount of hours this man has put into reading and studying and yet he gives it to us all for free! What a truly remarkable era we live in, so happy to find a gem channel like this!

"Do not preach your philosophy, embody it" Marcus Aurelias is the perfect example of this quote.

Thanks for making the world a little better. Rest in peace.

This lecture got uploaded by another account and gathered millions of views. Glad he has his own channel now and is getting the credit he deserves.

“You can’t help but feel like at the end of his life he must have felt relieved. That the terrible crushing burden of this loneliness - a man that has no equals and no friends, a man that has nothing but philosophy to guide him - death must have been a great release. It’s like getting the evening off after you’ve put in your turn guarding the camp. And instead of becoming an obscure and unimportant figure, he’s become a symbol in the history of western philosophy.” I had the privilege of being a student of Dr. Sugrue’s at Ave Maria and only learned that he had these online video lectures today when I heard of his passing. It’s fitting that the legacies left with these lectures allows him to become the modern day version of that symbol of philosophy that he describes of Marcus Aurelius, even after death. RIP

I regret not being able to do this earlier - you will live on in my memory!

A sudden shock from the comment section,I didn't know this great teacher of humanity is no more,Rest in peace.I was just rewatching this masterpiece for some academic purposes,Mankind will remember your contribution.

This lecture has changed my life. I'm highly neurotic and have difficulty coping with minor problems, but the way that Professor Sugrue presents Marcus Aurelius has challenged me to hold myself to higher standards. Whenever I have difficulty sleeping at night, I listen to this lecture like a bedtime story and it never gets old. I have been reading Stoic literature but none of them are as inspirational as this talk. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

RIP Dr. This lecture is a gem 💎: “Marcus Aurelius let us know that all people suffer, but that not all people pity themselves. Marcus Aurelius lets us know that all men die, but that not all men die whining.”

All men suffer, but not all men pity themselves. thank you for this lecture totally saved my life

Listening this on the day of his death to commemorate this great teacher. He changed many lives.

This man's command of the English language is so good. No notes to look at, just spoke and embodied the topic of philosophy that he loves, as he taught. Had me saying woooow at the end of the video.

05:30 - The wise man fears only abdicating his moral responsibility. 07:19 - Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that "greatness is the perception that virtue is enough." 10:22 - Lord Action said that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And that's generally speaking, true. The difficulty with that generalization... is Marcus Aurelius. 11:49 - Marcus Aurelius is the one example of an absolute ruler who behaves himself in such a way as not to disgrace himself. 12:34 - Imagine anything that the Brauns desiring emotional irrational parts of your souls want, and now imagine that you can have it. 14:46 - He's not afraid of being dead. He's not afraid of being in pain. He's not afraid to have people laugh at him. He's only afraid of doing what's wrong. He's only afraid of making chaos of his soul. 15:58 - It's a standing reproach to our self-indulgence. 16:08 - Marcus wrote this manuscript without intending to have it published. After his death he wanted to have it burned. 16:40 - Marcus Aurelius writes a book to himself, because he's the loneliest man in the world. 20:00 - Yet we ought not to pity Marcus Aurelius, because if he looked at our lives he would pity us. Of that he said "well I'd pity you back if I didn't think that was disrespectful." 20:22 - Think about what it takes to be something like Marcus Aurelius. We shall not see his like again. 24:14 - What's unnerving about this is that there's not the slightest taint of hypocrisy in it. He not only says this stuff, he acts this stuff. He not only talks the talk he walks the walk, and he does it and he does it under worse and more difficult circumstances, than you failed to do it! And yet he still likes us. 25:11 - Are you weary of enduring the bad men of the world? The gods aren't and they made them. Are you really weary of enduring the bad men of the world... especially given that you're one of them? 26:46 - Even in a palace it is possible to live well. 41:57 - All people suffer, but not all people pity themselves.

This video was a random recommendation to many but likely changed the lives of tons of people, either from piquing the interest into the practical side of philosophy for a lot of young people or giving beautifully articulate lectures on the history of the Western thought, Michael Segrue did a great service to us all. Both in his years of active education and the few years of being retired and making RU-vid videos after that, his contributions will be remembered dearly in the hearts of this generation, and all of those who watch these videos after. RIP Dr. Segrue, you will be deeply missed and your legacy will live on in the transformed minds of the countless youths you have transformed.

I came here to pay my respects. RIP Professor Sugrue.

Memento mori rest in peace

I love how many times he says "if you stop and think about it". It's a powerful piece of advice if you stop and think about it

This man changed my life. You are missed, Doctor.

Hands down the best lecture in academia. A great man teaching us about another great man and showing us what true virtue is. You have changed many lives for the better and your lessons will inspire the generations to come. Rest in peace, professor Sugrue.

I have read multiple translations of Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, and not one of those texts suggested he was a jerk nitpicking at shortfalls of others. Rather he was able to recognize shortfalls in his own character and thus felt compassion for people of all races and backgrounds. I believe he said something of the likes: What makes a good man is not the color of his skin or background, but rather the goals he chases and the values he exhibits…

To the man who introduced a vital role in my life. Rest in peace and God bless.

I knew stoicism and Marcus Aurelius only this year and I am 50. Better late that never.

RIP to my favorite stand up stoic

I truly believe this mans lectures have had some change in the world.

Rest in Peace ❤🙏☮️

This man changed the course of my life. I am forever in his debt.

1/16/2024 Rest in Peace Michael, we love you

> This is the official RU-vid channel of Dr. Michael Sugrue. I have been dying to read these words.

i find myself coming back here time and time again to watch this. don’t disgrace yourself

how surprised marcus aurelieus would be if he came back to earth today and see after hundred and thousands of years people are still talking abt him and his virtuous life.. great accomplishment for a human..

“We cannot lose the memories of such a great man.” That is me spreading this video to my peers.

As a struggling young man who doesn’t fully understand himself, this was profound. Really pushed me to change some of my personal self-views.

I am donating 10 dollars but I want to say your videos are worth much more. Very much more. I took a lot of philosophy courses in college and your lectures are better than any I have ever listened to.

Im not one to care about celebrity deaths but man... this one hurts Rest in peace Micheal, your lectures are what sparked my interest in philosophy

R.I.P. 😥 Michael Sugrue, thank you for the lectures. "He who fears death fears either unconsciousness or another sort of consciousness. Now if you will no longer be conscious either of anything bad. If you are to take on a different consciousness, you will be a different being and life will not cease." Marcus Aurelius

Rest in Peace. You added to humanity's wealth. You gave selflessly. Your light has not gone out. You showed us what we need to aspire to.

Rest in peace, Dr. Segrue. Thank you for everything.

Rest in peace Professor. I still hear your teaching everyday. thank you so much!

This guy is a true master of speech, how is he not famous?

Rip my friend. The world has lost so much clarity. Possibly the best living philosopher has left this earthly form.

Thank you for all you did.

This is the most eloquent speech on Stoicism.

Love looking at the comments and seeing how many people’s lives have been bettered from kind, wise people like u dr. RIP Legend ❤

Rest in peace, Dr. Sugrue. Thank you for sharing your gift with us, illuminating the world of Western philosophy - even in your final days on earth. Your lectures have truly changed my life. A brilliant mind and legendary scholar.

May Professor Sugrue rest in peace.

Stoicism in general and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations in particular turned my life around. I used to make myself physically sick with nerves before a presentation at school or in the office, to the point that I would be unable to sleep for days before and could barely eat. I worried what people would think of me if I screwed up, or looked fat, or if my clothes looked weird, or if I said something wrong and offended someone, etc. It was only after repeating a mantra of "in a 100 years nobody is going to remember today or even that you were alive at all" that I was able to conquer my nerves. Some people find the thought of oblivion depressing, but for me it is a truly liberating thought!

11:20 *absolute power reveals absolutely* “In [Aurelius’] case, power didn’t corrupt, _absolute power did not corrupt absolutely._ Instead absolute power allowed us to see what the man underneath the body is really like-it allowed us to find out what Marcus Aurelius’ soul is like. Imagine a man for whom all the restraints of law and custom and political order are taken away-he could have whatever he wants. If a man under those circumstances behaves well, you know something about the soul underneath because no external constraint is making him do what he is doing. And Marcus Aurelius is the one example of an absolute ruler who behaves himself in such a way as not to disgrace himself.”

Heartbreaking news today. This lecture really did pull me out of one of the darkest moments of my life, and it has changed me forever. Rest well, Professor.

When I was around 20 I downloaded this lecture and listened to it every single day. I know it by heart now. I'm 34 now and still comforts me to no end, sharp, profound, useful. I owe it to be my first contact with Marcus Aurelius. And to have startes a lifelong interest in Roman culture and stoic philosophy

may you be reincarnated as the philosopher king Dr. Sugrue, you will be dearly missed by every stoic soul, thanks for your final gift in these lectures that you were gracious enough to share RIP Dr Michael Sugrue (1957-2024)

Good night sir and rest, assured you made this place better.

Just heard the news of your passing rip brother

Rest in peace, good Doctor. Thank you for all you taught us.

Like this video, comment and share. Let's spread this lecture to all in memory of Dr. Michael Sugrue.

Rest in peace. Memento Mori for all of us.

Dr Sugrue, you re-sparked my love for philosophy, and re-inspired my love for history. My heart goes out to your family, and I will return to your lectures for the rest of my life. Thank you, and Rest In Peace Philosopher King.

Rest in peace Dr Sugrue may your interpretations and name live on forever

'You knew Marcus Aurelius?' 'I did not say I knew him I said I watched a lecture on him once!'

Rip Dr Sugrue, thank you for your contribution to my life and many others.

I'm still in total disbelief hearing the sad news about my great teacher Dr Surgue. If he's teachings are true he would be speaking with Marcus Aurelius above 👍🏆🇦🇺

Rest In Peace Dr. Sugrue. This lecture helped me turn my life around, thank you for this gift of knowledge.

Rest in peace. Listening today to remember you. Thank you for all your lectures, but especially this one. You will be missed.

I had no idea that I was seeking stoicism my whole life. Thanks for uploading this gem.

Rest in pease sir. You got me through hell.

This professor does not know me but I watched this video 4 years ago. I have been practising stoicism ever since and I have greatly elevated my life and that of those around me with the guidance of philosophy. I read Epictetus works, Seneca's letters and Meditations over 3 times just to try to understand better. I now guide friends and have introduced several people to Marcus Aurelius. I keep coming back to this video because this is the most eloquent description of Marcus Aurelius that I have ever seen Thank you for your work!

Many thanks for the hours of insight!

Rip Dr. Sugrue

I love the “whistle in the graveyard” remark.. So picturesque and fitting..

Rest in peace good doctor, this lecture changed my life.

Rest in peace, we will all miss you but your lectures will live on

Rip sir you have touched many lives mine included

Rest in peace Dr. Sugrue, may your words live on for many years to come.

He was truly one of the best lecturers of our time. For the last two years I nearly always watched one of his lectures in the evening before going to bed. This one stands out as being the best one. It has had a profound impact on my life and on the lives of my friends I was able to introduce this lecture to! Thank you for everything you have done and for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us. You will be missed.

RIP Dr.Sugrue

Here to thank Professor Sugrue for the lectures which inspired a life of learning. Rest in Peace and thank you for the profound impact you have had on my life. You will not be forgotten.

Rest In Peace Dr Sugrue. I’ve listened to this lecture dozens of times and will listen dozens more to come.

Rest in peace professor and thank you for everything ❤️

RIP Professor. Almost a year ago my Father suddenly fell ill, almost died and had to undergo an emergency quadruple bypass while being admitted for weeks. I was a mess however; I found this lecture at the same time I felt all of my stoic training was for not, I was falling apart. I listened to this lecture during every drive to the hospital, during every ride home, and as I walked the hospital halls and I regained my reason. God bless you Professor, and a loud “THANK YOU”

Dr Michael Sugrue left an indelible mark as a preacher of Greek philosophy. He has migrated from a historian to a philosopher and did his best to live the life of a stoic (other than to cater to the needs of his family). I just learnt that Dr Michael left for Heaven yesterday and i am sure that the greatest Roman emperor and author of "The Meditations", Marcus Aurelius will be happy to meet Dr Michael🙏

Rest in peace, Michael. Every once in a while, I come back to this brilliant lecture of yours.

Rest in Peace. Memento Mori.

This is my favorite video all-time on RU-vid. It’s so sad to learn he passed away. What an amazing legacy he leaves, we should all be so fortunate.

Rest in peace, Doctor. Your seeds have spread and now it’s our job to spread them.

May you rest in peace. You have earned my utmost gratitude. You are a great person.

Rest in Peace, Dr. Sugrue.

I just came across your videos to find that you have passed away not long ago, rest in peace, watching your videos is such a pleasure

This is the greatest lecture that all the humanity should listen and learn from. Thank you very much Dr. Sugrue. Rest heavenly in peace, your heart and soul will be forever remembered in history.

Rest in peace. This video is legendary. Thank you for your work Mr. Sugrue

RIP my dear teacher. As an Indian student, I have obtained a great insight on how Western philosophy is rooted. Now I can correlate in Indian subcontinent context. RIP Sir and Om Shanti. May your soul attain enternal peace and spread the knowledge wherever you are. 🙏

Rest in peace sir. I've benefited immensely as a student in Turkiye.

Miss you bro

I am saddened to hear of his passing. He reminds me of one of my philosophy professors who lost their battle with cancer. His passing still affects me to this day, five years later. If you’re reading this, and you are a professor, teacher, or educator, you may never know how much of an impact you have made on a student! Rest in peace Dr. Sugrue and my professor, Dr. Todd. ❤

I have listened to this one several times. It's one of my favorites. Thank you, Dr. Sugrue .

I have listened to this lecture and others muuuultipel times. You were an amazing rethoriker and seemed to be a great man. Rest well, Professor!

Rest in peace Doctor and thank you for all these great thoughts we can appreciate through your videos.