Boxing

Marcus Aurelius and the need for philosophy

Photo by Chris Kendall on Unsplash

“The student as boxer, not fencer. The fencer’s weapon is picked up and put down again. The boxer’s is part of him. All he has to do is clench his fist.”-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

There is a metaphor that compares life to boxing, how one always needs to be on guard, to have their hands up for protection, but at the same time be ready to strike when the need arises. Marcus Aurelius is said to have loved sports growing up, one of his favorite sports being boxing. 

In the Meditations, Marcus Aurelius’ notebooks of reflections, he uses the metaphor of the boxer to philosophy as it is inherent that we need to have our philosophy constantly at the ready. 

A boxer stands in the ring in both an offensive and defensive position; hands are raised to protect the face and head, light on his toes so he can quickly move around, hips at the ready to turn into or roll out of a situation. The boxer uses his entire body to win a match and is constantly at the ready.

The fencer, on the other hand, has to pick up and put down his sword. If he is attacked and doesn’t have his sword, he is in trouble.

“Everything might happen,” Seneca once wrote to his brother, “anticipate everything. Even in good there is something rather unsavory. Human nature contains treacherous thoughts, ungrateful ones, greedy and wicked ones… When everything seems serene, the dangers are still present, only sleeping. Always suppose that something offensive to you is going to arise.”

As Emperor, Marcus embraced this very idea knowing that around every turn, he had people ready to try and take power from him, backstab him, or even kill him. To Marcus, philosophy was his boxing gloves. To him, being at the ready meant keeping philosophy close and leaning into his studies rather than finding excuses for why he did not have time. 

To philosophize is to learn how to live. We must always be training ourselves in the ways of philosophy. We do not attempt to live a virtuous life when it is convenient, and we should not turn to philosophy only in times of need. On the contrary, we should always be studying philosophy, keeping the boxer within you alive and ready. By continually studying philosophy, your tools are constantly at your disposal regardless of the situation at hand.

Seneca, writing to his friend Lucilius, states:

“I am sure you realize, Lucilius, that no one can live a truly happy life, or even a bearable life, without philosophy; also, that while it is complete wisdom that renders a life happy, even to begin that study makes life bearable.”

Study philosophy and keep it at the ready. You can and will need it in both times of need and times of peace.