Menu
Emerging from the city of Tusculum in Rome, Marcus Porcius Cato, endearingly known as Cato the Elder, was a paragon of Stoic philosophy. Born in 234 BC, he weathered an austere upbringing, a stark departure from the luxury accessible to those of the Roman aristocracy. This upbringing served as the crucible, shaping his life and principles.
In the face of adversity, Cato exhibited an unwavering commitment to a life of simplicity, integrity, and self-discipline, hallmarks of stoicism. It’s said that once, when asked why he pursued virtue so ardently, Cato replied, “I would rather men ask why I have no statue, than why I have one.” This quote is a testament to Cato’s virtuous life as a practising Stoic.
Cato’s rise in Roman politics was a manifestation of his stoic principles in action. His commitment to justice, truth, and fairness fortified his political career. In 195 BC, Cato served as a tribune and later, in 184 BC, ascended to the position of Censor, considered to be one of the highest political offices in Rome.
Known for his incorruptibility, Cato adroitly navigated the murky waters of Roman politics by holding steadfast to his stoic principles. His approach earned him respect from his allies and admonishment from his adversaries. However, despite the opposition, he remained resolute, bolstered by his stoic virtues. Delving into his political career grips us with his ability to transpose stoic principles into effective governance.
One of the main components that distinguished Cato from his peers was his unwavering practice of the stoic principles. In the words of Plutarch, “Cato enjoyed the great good that he himself had done, joined to it no vain glory, no ostentation.” These words resonate with the Stoic philosophy’s quintessential tenet — virtue for virtue’s sake.
While the majority considered virtue an avenue to gain popularity, Cato practiced virtue for its own sake. He espoused a unique interpretation of stoicism that went beyond mere intellectual understanding, focusing instead on living out these principles in daily, practical life. His life offers a compendium of lessons for modern men and women on the art of efficient, ethical leadership punctuated by stoic resilience.
Central to Cato’s stoic thought were the fundamentals of wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation. He emphasized that these four cardinal virtues were interrelated and equally essential to a stoic life. To truly live a stoic life, according to Cato, was to live in harmony with these core values. To act unjustly was a departure from wisdom; to act without courage was to stray from moderation.
These principles were not mere sermons for Cato; they were his way of life, his dues ex machina. His life provides an object lesson in how one can add value to society and lead people while remaining steadfast in one’s moral precepts, exemplifying virtue.
As a soldier, Cato the Elder was as uncompromising and principled as he was in other areas of life. His stoic philosophy played an influential role in the performance of his military duties. As the famed Roman general, Cato demonstrated the four cardinal virtues – wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation – not merely in rhetorical exercises, but in the ultimate testing ground, the battlefield.
Cato served Rome in various military campaigns, perhaps most notably during the Second Punic War where he showed his valor against Hannibal’s forces. Throughout his military career, he refused to indulge in the spoils of war like many of his contemporaries. His troops often marveled at his relentless energy, rigorous self-discipline, and his ability to endure harsh conditions.
At the heart of his military strategy was Stoic wisdom. Viewing wisdom as the correct use of impressions, Cato developed strategies not solely for the sake of victory but also mindful of the broader implications for Rome. His strategies embodied the Stoic concept of the interconnectedness of decisions and actions. He made choices designed to minimise harm, reduce unnecessary loss of life, secure strategic advantages, and ensure the long term welfare of his country.
Marcus Aurelius once asserted, “The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.” Cato closely adhered to this precept, refraining from acts of vengeance and instead focusing on the betterment and security of Rome. He advocated for mercy over vengeance, setting an example that would inspire future Roman generals.
Courage was another facet of Stoic philosophy that Cato exhibited throughout his military career. He went into battle with equanimity, recognising danger but refusing to be swayed by fear or panic. Cato’s Stoic courage was not about recklessness or blind valor. It was about measured resilience and the ability to maintain inner tranquillity in the face of external turmoil.
Drawing on Marcus Aurelius’ principle: “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” He displayed emotional resilience and rational judgment – an ability to control his examinations despite the chaos and peril surrounding him. It was this courage that allowed him to lead with integrity, even in hostile situations.
Stoicism is a philosophy rooted in the practice of virtue. For Cato the Elder, these virtues were not abstractions, but they represented the very essence of his personal philosophy and way of life. His belief in wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation extended beyond intellectual agreement; he lived these principles through his actions and decisions, in both public and private life.
For Cato, wisdom was an integral part of living a Stoic life. He regarded wisdom as the ability to act correctly in accordance with Nature and to perceive things as they truly are, unaffected by misconceptions or desires. Wisdom also necessitated making “right use” of external things, using external events to enhance rather than hinder one’s pursuit of virtue.
Cato’s wisdom is reminiscent of words by Marcus Aurelius: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” By striving to align his thoughts, choices, and actions with the nature of reality and virtue, Cato was able to navigate life’s vicissitudes with clarity and composure.
Justice was another stoic virtue revered by Cato. He believed in the equal value of all human beings and their shared capacity for reason. Cato’s concept of justice involved not just treating others with fairness but also working towards the common good.
In upholding justice, Cato took to heart the words of Marcus Aurelius, “What is not good to the swarm is not good to the bee.” Corrupted actions he saw as a deviation from this Stoic principle, an opinion that guided his decisions throughout his political and military career.
While today the term ‘cosmopolitan’ evokes images of worldliness or sophistication, to the ancient Stoics, it defined a central doctrine of their philosophy. According to the Stoics, all human beings are citizens of one universal city – the cosmos. Thus, people should honour their communal human bonds over narrow, self-interest clashes.
Cato’s cosmopolitanism, or Kosmopolitês in Greek, implies he saw himself first and foremost as a citizen of the cosmos, rather than of Rome. His loyalty extended beyond the city walls of Rome to the universal human community. He believed that virtuous individuals share a universal reason that binds them together, inviting a sense of shared responsibility.
In line with Marcus Aurelius’ assertion: “We were born to work together like feet, hands, and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower”, Cato embodied this principle of mutual cooperation strikingly in his life. His actions reflected the Stoic conviction that one’s responsibilities extend beyond personal or national boundaries.
This cosmopolitan perspective importantly means extending our sense of justice and concern to all people. Cato’s unwavering principles of justice did not apply only to his compatriots; they were employed universally. And while he dutifully served Rome and its citizens, he never lost sight of his larger responsibilities as a global citizen, a true Stoic paradigm.
His belief echoed Marcus Aurelius’ words stating, “Mankind are made for each other. Either then instruct them better or bear with them.” This global, not merely local, perspective imbued his actions and decisions, and in this way, Stoicism provided a global vision that transcends national boundaries.
Cato’s Stoic lifestyle was not just an abstract philosophical endeavor, but a genuine operative principle that impacted every aspect of his life, from his role as a statesman, to his personal relationships. Endorsing the use of virtue as the ultimate good, this Stoic principle permeated his thoughts and actions in his private life as well. As Epictetus expressed, “First tell yourself what kind of person you want to be, then do what you have to do.” This sentiment resonated with Cato’s approach to life.
On a personal level, Cato showed that Stoicism was not just a passive philosophy, but an active strategy towards achieving tranquility. Cato did not allow himself to become a subject of external influences. His family, peers, or political circumstances had no impact on his personal tranquility. Zeno’s precept “Happiness is a good flow of life,” could be seen as the cornerstone of his personal strategy. His approach to personal Stoicism portrayed that wisdom, integrity, courage, and serenity were prevalent traits in life’s every facet, leading to a harmonious flow and inner tranquility.
Stoicism taught Cato about Apatheia, a state of being unaffected by passions and rendering oneself impervious to its destructive influence. Zeno of Citium postulated “man conquers the world by conquering himself”. This Stoic perspective was embodied by Cato as he manifested remarkable indifference to varying life vicissitudes. Strife, victory, defeat, pain, pleasure, neither moved him nor influenced his peace, thus depicting a prime example of apatheia.
A significant aspect of Cato’s life illustrating apatheia was his adversity to luxurious lifestyle. Not susceptible to pleasure or pain, Cato practiced a strict lifestyle, reflecting his indifference towards material possessions. He practiced the words of Seneca, “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” For Cato, virtue and a simple life were the sources of true wealth, indicating his alignment with Stoic philosophy.
Cato’s life paints the picture of a man embodying endurance and perseverance in the face of adversities. The Stoic virtues of courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance, guided his actions and helped him endure against all odds. His life is a testament to one’s capability to persevere even during periods of trials and tribulations.
Cato’s perseverance is best exemplified by his endurance of political upheavals. Despite hostile circumstances, he adhered to his Stoic virtues with unwavering firmness. He performed his duties, exemplifying the words of Marcus Aurelius, “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” In the face of adversities, Cato remained steadfast, demonstrating the power of resilience and perseverance, not allowing external circumstances to dictate his state of mind.
Renowned for his unwavering dedication to stoicism, Cato the Elder acted as a beacon for subsequent Stoics. The hallmark of his influence lies in the profound impact his principles exerted on thinkers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and notably, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Cato’s mindset and philosophy served as a substructure that generations of stoics incorporated, adapted, and expanded upon.
In Seneca’s works, he frequently lauded Cato, venerating his fierce adherence to stoic virtues. In his ‘Moral Letters to Lucilius’, Seneca reveals that he ascribed to the very principles of stoic philosophy that were embodied by Cato: “We are bound by the law of nature to act for the common good.” This notion of dedicating oneself to the common good builds on Cato’s view on justice that advocated for a universal notion of fairness and contribution to collective welfare.
Seneca admired Cato’s apatheia, the stoic principle of remaining unswayed by passion or external circumstances. This was closely connected to his reflections on Cato’s resolve in the face of adversity.
Epictetus, a former slave turned philosopher, shared the same stoic principles with Cato. With his assertion, “First tell yourself what kind of person you want to be, then do what you have to do,” Epictetus captured the similarity between his perspective and that of Cato. They both recognised the importance of aligning actions with personal virtues, exemplifying the importance of internal coherence to the stoic mindset.
Perhaps the most illustrious figure influenced by the stoic principles of Cato was Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher emperor of Rome. His seminal work, ‘Meditations’’, reflects the same stoic principles that were embodied by Cato. Cato’s philosophy, particularly those aspects related to wisdom and justice, can be traced directly back to Marcus Aurelius’ writings. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts,” Marcus Aurelius once stated. It’s clear that the principles which guided Marcus Aurelius’s rule were drawn from Cato’s wisdom. He emphasized making right use of thoughts and actions, evoking a sense of interconnectedness with the world.
Indeed, Cato the Elder’s stoic philosophy, his conscious interpretation and practiced virtues, offered a cornerstone of inspiration for generations of stoic philosophers. His wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation constituted a robust platform, resulting in an influence that still resonates with practitioners of stoicism even today.
Cato the Elder, a figure of substantial influence and reputation, has often been surrounded by several misconceptions. These misunderstandings of his character and philosophy require careful consideration and dispute. Cato was a phenomenal figure, yet his character and ideology were far too intricate to be slotted into simplistic narratives or misrepresentations.
A prevalent myth about stoics, particularly about Cato, is the image of an emotionless, uncompromising, and severe individual. However, stoicism, as espoused by Cato, was not a philosophy of emotional repression but instead one of emotional wisdom. Stoics like Cato respected emotions, seeking an in-depth understanding to harness their power for the common good. In Epictetus’ teachings, we find an echo of Cato’s philosophy: “Don’t demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.” So, while Cato valued strength, resilience, and self-discipline, he was not averse to emotion.
Another misunderstanding about Cato stems from the concept of apatheia. It has been wrongly interpreted as insensitivity or indifference to the outside world. However, Cato’s apatheia shouldn’t be misconstrued as a physical detachment from worldly pleasures or a disregard for societal obligations. Instead, it should be understood as the attainment of a state where the individual isn’t dictated by destructive passions. Zeno’s precept “Man conquers the world by conquering himself,” resonates with this interpretation. For Cato, the concept of apatheia was about achieving inner tranquility, not about detaching oneself from societal responsibilities.
We live in a world that is increasingly complex and unpredictable. Amidst the chaos, the stoic philosophy of Cato the Elder provides us with a beacon of resilience, wisdom, justice, and self-discipline. His philosophy teaches us how to face life’s adversities and uncertainties bravely. It gives a blueprint for how wisdom should guide our decisions, how justice should illuminate our relationships, and how courage and self-discipline should fortify our character.
The stoic philosophy embodied by Cato resonates in numerous aspects of modern life. For instance, let’s consider the increased emphasis on mindfulness and emotional intelligence today. Zeno’s quote “The goal of life is living in agreement with nature,” perfectly aligns with the current trend towards natural harmony and mindfulness. Stoicism, as practiced by Cato, was about embracing what’s in front of us, recognizing the value and lessons in our present circumstances and realities.
In the spectrum of history, across the battlefield, the governance corridors, and the abode of his personal life, Cato led a life that is a testament to stoicism. We can glean valuable lessons from Cato’s life, his untiring commitment to his beliefs, his application of stoicism on the battlefield, and his ability to incorporate stoicism in everyday life. The stoicism of Cato the Elder is not just a historical curiosity; it is a living testament. His virtues resonate today as a compass for conduct, underlining the enduring relevance and achievements of his Stoic philosophy. In essence, the life and teachings of Cato the Elder are a reminder – both implicit and explicit – about the beautiful mesh of stoicism in action.