Marcus Aurelius was a good emperor, and also a good philosopher. He is fundamentally a Stoic, but he is not a typical Stoic (see Epictetus). Instead, Aurelius is a Stoic with inner turmoil and conflict. He is not sure at times whether he can follow the Stoic path, and also seems to have a less extreme philosophy. In other words, Aurelius seems to be more humane, and you will not catch him saying anything like this:

"Never say of anything, "I have lost it"; but, "I have returned it." Is your child dead? It is returned. Is your wife dead? She is returned...While he gives it to you to possess, take care of it; but don't view it as your own, just as travelers view a hotel." -Epictetus

Or this:

"With regard to whatever objects give you delight, are useful, or are deeply loved, remember to tell yourself of what general nature they are, beginning from the most insignificant things. If, for example, you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, if it breaks, you will not be disturbed. If you kiss your child, or your wife, say that you only kiss things which are human, and thus you will not be disturbed if either of them dies."

A very brief summary of the stoic belief (Epictetus was a stoic) would be appropriate. The rough and simplified version (as I see it) is as follows:


1. Suffering/pain is bad
2. One should relieve bad things (such as suffering/pain) whenever it is in one's control
3. (a) Beliefs are in our control, and they lead to (b) attitudes, feelings, and emotions, which in turn are the (c) primary cause of suffering/pain.
Conclusion: One can and should avoid all true pain by fostering the appropriate beliefs.

The objections to this approach are plentiful, but the most popular is to attack the soundness of premise 3a and/or 3c. Also popular is attacking 3b. A more difficult approach is to turn against premise 1 and/or 2. Nietzsche might go for that.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that the Stoics had a very positive view of nature, and felt that death was a natural process, and that nature was generally good. One should think in the context of nature, and life in general should always be viewed with the "big picture" in mind. The conclusion is that we are just tiny, insignificant specs that must make the best of what comes to us from this generous earth, and not cry about our losses.