I first read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations as a student. Many years later, as a hedge fund manager, I still keep it close
I first read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations as a student. Many years later as a hedge fund manager, I still keep it close.
What makes the book powerful is that it wasn’t written for an audience — it was written by a Roman emperor to discipline himself as a leader. That honesty makes the ideas timeless.
Out of the many lessons in Meditations, here are three that continue to shape how I see life and markets:
→ Control what you can. External events are unpredictable. In investing, as in life, judgment and discipline are always within reach — process is controllable even when volatility isn’t.
→ Stay present. Aurelius reminds us the present is all we hold. For CEOs, it means making decisions in real time rather than managing appearances. In personal life, it means giving full focus to the moment in front of you.
→ Keep perspective. Aurelius urged leaders to adopt a cosmic view. Markets often chase sentiment, but lasting value comes from focusing on structures that endure.
The lesson is simple: real performance doesn’t come from chasing noise. It comes from leaders who stay composed under pressure, align systems with strategy, and act with intent — through every cycle.
That’s what lasts.