Embracing Vulnerability Isn't a Sign of Weakness
In the annals of history, Marcus Aurelius, the renowned Roman Emperor, is often associated with the Stoic philosophy. However, contrary to popular belief, Stoics, including Aurelius, were not emotionless beings. Aurelius, known for his tears, was a human being who experienced emotions deeply, challenging the common perception of Stoics as emotionally disciplined.
Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasizes emotional control, does not advocate for the suppression of emotions but rather encourages their proper understanding and management. Aurelius' emotional vulnerability was a testament to this philosophy, as he openly cried on several occasions, such as at the death of his tutor and during the Antonine Plague.
The Stoics, including Aurelius, were strong because they maintained control over what was important and what they had to do, despite experiencing emotions. Stoicism teaches emotional control—not denial or acting as an "emotionless brick wall"—and emphasizes staying centered, honest, and true to oneself as a sign of strength.
Marcus Aurelius' emotional openness demonstrated his disciplined strength by acknowledging his humanity while maintaining rational control, which aligns with the core Stoic ideals of courage, temperance, and wisdom. Emotional expression, therefore, reflects strength through self-mastery, not weakness.
This understanding of emotions is not unique to Aurelius. The Irish hero, Michael Collins, was also known to express his emotions publicly, without being portrayed as hysterical. Frank O'Connor, biographer of Collins, noted that Collins was not immune to tears, and that he laughed and cried without self-consciousness.
In both cases, emotional control does not define the strength of a leader. Getting things out with a cry every once in a while is not a sign of weakness. Tears of grief do not diminish the strength of great individuals. Instead, they demonstrate a human connection, a testament to the leaders' empathy and understanding of the human condition.
Thus, from a Stoic perspective, emotions are natural, and their conscious expression or acknowledgment reflects strength through self-mastery, not weakness. Emotional control is not the sole defining characteristic of strong leaders; rather, it is the ability to understand, manage, and respond to emotions with wisdom and virtue that truly defines strength.
Emotional expression in the context of Stoicism, as demonstrated by Marcus Aurelius and Irish hero Michael Collins, doesn't signify weakness but rather strength through self-mastery. By acknowledging and controlling their emotions, these leaders displayed empathy and understanding of the human condition, reinforcing the Stoic belief that emotional control is not the sole defining characteristic of strong leaders, but the ability to respond with wisdom and virtue.
Strong leaders, as illustrated by Marcus Aurelius and Michael Collins, are not defined solely by emotional control, but by their ability to understand, manage, and respond to emotions with wisdom and virtue, reflecting courage, temperance, and wisdom-key principles of Stoicism.
