In a context marked by Hyperconnectivity and the feeling that everything requires an immediate response, a Question written almost two thousand years ago gains strength again: “Is this necessary?” He formulated it Marcus AureliusRoman emperor and one of the greatest representatives of Stoicism, as a concrete tool for ordering actions, reducing mental fatigue and living with greater clarity.
The sentence appears in Meditationsa work that was not intended for publication, but as personal reflection notebook. Over there, Marcus Aurelius He reminds himself that “most of what we do and say is not essential” and that every action and word should be examined in light of this question.
Marcus Aurelius He wasn’t talking about an abstract theory. He ruled the Roman Empire for almost two decadeswaged complex military campaigns, managed internal crises and maintained the stability of one of the largest territories in history. His philosophy arose not from retirement but from the exercise of power and daily responsibility.
When Marcus Aurelius suggests asking if something is necessary; it does not promote inaction or isolation. On the contrary, His idea is to focus energy on what really depends on you and has ethical value.: Act with justice, reason and a sense of duty.
For Stoicism, the superfluous is not just material excess. So are unnecessary discussions, Impulse words, automatic reactions and worries that do not lead to any concrete action. All this distracts attention and weakens the mood.
To do what is necessary, one must chooseR. Choose what is worth saying, what is worth committing to, and what is worth letting go.. For Marcus Aurelius, this conscious choice is a form of inner freedom.
This teaching is particularly relevant in today’s life. The pressure of having to express your opinion on everythingFast response and visibility lead to constant mental overload. We often act out of reflex, not conviction.
Address the question “Is this necessary?” to. makes it possible to stop this automatism. Before sending a message, engaging in a discussion, or making any other commitment, The filter helps distinguish between what is urgent and what is important. Not everything that requires attention deserves energy.
At work, for example, it helps to prioritize tasks that really add value and reduce meetings, emails or exchanges that just add noise. In relationships, avoid unnecessary conflicts and conversations that do not lead to anything constructive.
The Stoic proposal does not require drastic changes, but rather daily adjustments. Some concrete ways to put this into practice are:
Marcus Aurelius He understood that serenity is achieved not by controlling the world, but by ordering one’s own behavior. Your question does not eliminate the problems, but it does clarify the way to address them.
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