The "nobodies" that inspire us

Read time: 2 minutes

Welcome to David Beats Goliath, where we challenge the Goliaths of conventional thinking.

Marcus Aurelius

Was a Roman emperor, who described himself as "a male, mature in years, a statesman, a Roman, a ruler."

He died on March 17, 180.

Posthumously, they discovered and published his diary.

Meditations the book

While alive, Aurelius was arguably the most powerful person on Earth.

He's writing a diary to himself, never expecting it to be published.

Today, you can find it on Amazon or any bookstore under the title, Meditations.

As I read this book, three thoughts crossed my mind:

This man, despite being an emperor, is remarkably humble — perhaps the key to his success as a ruler.
He faced the same issues and mental struggles we do today, proving that success and power don't necessarily improve our internal state.
Many amazing individuals inspired this great man, yet history barely remembers them — they are the 'nobodies.'

Of the nobodies listed in Aurelius' diary, one man stood out to me.

Sextus

Aurelius credits Sextus for teaching him

"How to rule a household with paternal authority, the real meaning of the Natural Life, an unselfconscious dignity, an intuitive concern for the interests of one's friends, and a good-natured patience with amateurs and visionaries. The aptness of his courtesy to each individual lent a charm to his society more potent than any flattery, yet at the same time it exacted the complete respect of all present. His manner, too, of determining and systematizing the essential rules of life was as comprehensive as it was methodical. Never displaying a sign of anger nor any kind of emotion, he was at once entirely imperturbable and yet full of kindly affection. His approval was always quietly and undemonstratively expressed, and he never paraded his encyclopedic learning."

I read that and go: "Wow! I want to be like that!"

As a VC, I aspire to embody Sextus's temperament — not his fashion, but his character and demeanor!

A better me

You know me as a VC who hates most VCs.

While there's certainly humor and truth behind this self-proclaimed identity, what most folks overlook is the public challenge I've accepted.

I'm declaring that I will be better than most VCs.

Better how?

That, like Sextus and Aurelius, I can be GREAT at my job while being a GREAT person.

I hope you and the public will keep me accountable.

And...

I'm hoping we can be better together.

Let's aim for higher ground.