Verus

 Verus 

"In my adoptive father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things that he had determined after due deliberation; and no vainglory in those things that men call honor; and a love of labor and perseverance."- The Meditations (page 4)

Verus was the grandfather of Marcus Aurelius and who took him in after his parents had died when he was young. We learn that Verus allowed Marcus Aurelius to grow with a happy childhood being able to learn from tutors about Stoicism. We learn that Marcus Aurelius described that much of the virtues that he had developed were because of having learned them from his grandfather. We learn that Marcus Aurelius described the importance of practicing temperance and being industrious.

We learn that Marcus Aurelius described the importance of growing up with his grandfather that helped him learn about important qualities that are needed. We learn that he described how his grandfather was of mild character meaning that he had dominion over his emotions and was able to practice serenity and calmness. We learn that Marcus Aurelius described the importance of not allowing the emotions to lead to anger and envy. We learn that instead there is the need to practice calmness and serenity that allows us to persevere. 

"And that might be applied to him which is recorded to Socrates, that he was able to both abstain from, and to enjoy, those things which many are too weak to abstain from, and can not enjoy without excess."- The Meditations (page 5)

We learn that Marcus Aurelius' grandfather was also humble in the sense that he was not involved in excesses and intemperance. Marcus Aurelius described the importance of being able to persevere without practicing excesses and having vices. We learn that instead of practicing vices, there was temperance that describes the manner to persevere without practicing excesses and being dependant on external things. Marcus Aurelius described that his grandfather was of cheerful character and described the importance of not needing negative emotions such as anger and envy. 

We learn that he also learned that there is no need to use flattery or arrogance. Marcus Aurelius described the manner that there is the need to have positive qualities instead of anger and arrogance. We see in the life of Marcus Aurelius the manner that practicing serenity and temperance can help an individual. We are able to understand the importance of grandfathers and grandmothers in helping us learn from their wealth of experiences and life lessons, and improve seeing the positive qualities of others while also practicing gratitude. We learn that while Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic, it is interesting to note if Christianity also influenced his upbringing seeing the manner that he allowed Christianity and ended persecution during his time being emperor. Instead of practicing anger, envy, hatred, and intemperance, Marcus Aurelius learned from his grandfather the value of positive qualities.