On Power

A Stoic Reflection

13 min readOct 13, 2025

Forged from hundreds of swords that surrendered to a conqueror, melted by the dragon fire, beaten, and bent — the Iron Throne from the Game of Thrones is a fitting symbol of power.

What is power? One of the main characters in Game of Thrones, the chief spy Varys, said: “Power is a curious thing… Power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick, a shadow on the wall.” There is another scene in Game of Thrones where one character says, “Information is Power”, to which Queen Cersei reacts by showing she could order the man killed in an instant and then change her mind, concluding, “Power is Power.”

Power is typically defined as the ability to control, exercise authority, or exert influence over others. It is often displayed through some form of hierarchical position, but it does not have to be. Power is, in fact, one of those things that is hard to define, but you recognize it instantly.

Humans have always had a complicated relationship with power. For one, the corrupting effect of power has always been well-known and difficult to resist. According to Plato, “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” Centuries later, Abraham Lincoln is believed to have said (unconfirmed), “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” So, yes, power corrupts.

So, there is your trap—power is necessary to effect change, including positive change. However, in the process, those who wield this power are often poisoned by it. History is replete with examples of tyrannical regimes being overthrown, and as those who overthrow them grapple with power, they often become even more tyrannical than the regime they fought against.

Is it inevitable, though? Is there a way to break this cycle? Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 CE, came close. Arguably, the most powerful man on the planet at his time, Marcus Aurelius, left us his Meditations — a private journal of restraint. Marcus grew up around power. He saw an emperor who wielded power with humility and discipline — Antoninus Pius. He also saw one who could not resist its allure and allowed himself to be poisoned by it — Hadrian. One of the most memorable bits in book 6 of the Meditations is where Marcus Aurelius talks about the need to avoid “imperialisation — that indelible stain”, avoid “turning purple” (purple was the colour of an emperor’s toga — a colour associated with power and royalty).

Power magnifies the self. It increases self-focus and reduces susceptibility to ethical influence. It increases moral disengagement and invites the rationalization of unethical acts. Stoicism offers an antidote: a system of thinking that points out that wealth, rank, and reputation are “indifferents” — neither good nor bad in themselves. A framework that emphasizes virtue, which gives meaning to power. If we don’t ground our actions and choices in virtue, our sense of reality is quickly undermined by temptation, flattery, and impunity. We are given a false, inflated impression of our power. But as Marcus Aurelius reflected, even the great emperor “Alexander the Great and his mule driver both died, and the same thing happened to both.”

The Four Stoic Virtues and Power

Stoicism urges us to cultivate virtue throughout our lives, so if and when power comes, it ends up amplifying a noble character. Let’s review the Stoic virtues and how they can be helpful in dealing with power.

Wisdom: Knowing What Truly Matters — A leader must develop wisdom to discern right from wrong. Musonius Rufus, a Stoic often called the “Roman Socrates,” directly taught that kings should study philosophy. Why? Because “the first duty of a king is to be able to protect and benefit his people, and a protector and benefactor must know what is good for a man and what is bad.” In practice, this means continual learning and humility. Marcus Aurelius exemplified this by constantly self-reflecting in his Meditations, reminding himself of ethical priorities. He noted how trivial fame and office are in the grand scheme of things, to keep his perspective aligned with wisdom. Wisdom also means understanding the limits of power: much is out of one’s control (fortune, public opinion, external events). The wise leader focuses on what is within control — our reasoning, choices, and conduct — and lets the rest unfold as it will. This Stoic “dichotomy of control” frees the leader from chasing every rumor, (over)reacting to every slight, obsessing over uncontrollable outcomes. Instead, they can concentrate on making wise decisions in the moment.
Justice: Power as Service to Others — For Stoics, a life of virtue is a life of contribution to the common good. Power, in their view, is a sacred responsibility to care for their community, as well as the world at large. In other words, a leader’s well-being is interwoven with everyone else’s. Marcus practiced this by striving to be a benevolent ruler and seeing himself as a servant of Rome, not a master. A just leader, according to Seneca, tempers punishment with mercy and seeks to help rather than harm. “Cruel punishments do a king no honour… it does him great honour to restrain his power, to save many from the wrath of others, and sacrifice no one to his own [wrath],” Seneca wrote to Nero. Fairness, kindness, and the law should guide the leader. A good leader treats subordinates and stakeholders not as means to an end, but as fellow citizens of the larger community. Instead of “What can I get away with?” ask “What is the right thing to do?” — even if it means sacrificing an advantage. Justice demands fairness even when inconvenient and orienting power towards the good of the whole. Duty. Service.
Temperance: Self-Control and Humility — Perhaps the most visible trait of a Stoic leader is self-discipline. Marcus Aurelius wrote an entry to himself in Meditations that every leader should tape to their wall: “Take care not to be Caesarified or dyed in purple. It happens. So keep yourself simple, good, pure, serious, unpretentious, a friend of justice, God-fearing, kind, full of affection, and strong for your proper work. Strive hard to remain the same man that philosophy wished to make you.” Remain the same man. As in who you were before you became powerful. This man is literally Caesar and he tells hinself to remain “unpretentious” and “content with a little”. Upon gaining supreme power, he immediately shared imperial duties with his adoptive brother Lucius Verus. Because he thought that was the right thing to do. Temperance means voluntarily checking your own power. Epictetus liked to remind his students (some of whom were politically connected Romans) that roles in life are like roles in a play: “Keep in mind that you are an actor in a play, the character of which is determined by the Playwright… If [He] wants you to act the part of a beggar, see that you play it skillfully; and similarly, if the part is to be a cripple, or a governor, or a private person. Your job is to put on a splendid performance of the role you have been given.” For a leader, this advice is a potent check on pride. If you are cast in the “role” of CEO or President, it’s not because you are a demi-god — it’s a role given by fate, circumstances, perhaps the will of the divine. Your duty is simply to play your part well, ethically and without conceit. Temperance also means mastering one’s emotions and desires. Special focus was always on anger — Seneca wrote a whole essay On Anger, warning that uncontrolled anger is devastating, especially in a ruler with great power. Temperance is also about integrity — not abusing resources made available to you because of your position. If one well, temperance is almost invisible — integrity, transparency, composure — we immediately notice when these traits are absent in a leader, while we take them for granted when they are displayed.
Courage: Doing What’s Right — Courage to the Stoics was not just something you did on the battlefield; it meant the moral courage to do the right thing, to face adversity, pain, or even death rather than compromise principle. In positions of power, courage is needed to use power for good, even when it’s hard. Musonius Rufus taught that rulers especially require courage because “they are tested much more than we are… the implications of their errors are much bigger… every king, every leader, is in danger of becoming a tyrant.” It takes courage for a leader to resist the corrupting influences that surround them and to hold themselves to a higher standard. Courage for a Stoic leader is often quiet: it’s the willingness to do one’s duty without complaint, to make tough decisions in line with virtue, even if they are unpopular. It’s the strength to face criticism or failure without giving up or lashing out. It may also mean having the bravery to show vulnerability (Stoics don’t equate courage with coldness — remember, Marcus emphasized being “full of affection” and Seneca spoke of the value of mercy). Stoic courage is basically the backbone that supports all the other virtues — wisdom, justice, temperance — when facing real-world challenges.

The Four Stoics and Power

When we look at the lives of the Stoics, we see prime examples of individuals who did not just preach these principles, but lived them.

Marcus Aurelius — the Philosopher King, is the prime example, of course. He was often hailed as the ideal of a ruler. Despite wielding more power than perhaps any individual on earth at the time, Marcus remained, by all accounts, humble, dutiful, and just. Throughout his reign, he faced almost continual warfare and crisis, yet he was one of the few rulers in antiquity who was loved by his subjects and even respected by ancient historians for his sincerity and goodness. Why? Because he constantly checked himself against Stoic principles. For someone today in a position of authority, Marcus Aurelius stands as a reminder that power and virtue CAN go hand in hand — but it takes daily effort and philosophical practice.

Other prominent Stoics, too, while not quite at the heights of power like Marcus Aurelius, give us valuable lessons for how to deal with power. Seneca, who was a senator and the tutor and advisor to Nero, wielded immense influence in Rome. He produced a ton of advice in his writings about how a powerful person should behave — unfortunately, the one person that was supposed to listen, Nero, did not. Yet, Seneca’s works — particularly his essays “On Anger” and “On the Shortness of Life” are essential readings for any leader. Unlike Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, Epictetus was not born to power, he was born a slave. Yet, his influence reached far as he became one of antiquity’s most sought-after Stoic teachers. Ecpitetus never sought political power, but he educated many who did. His teachings had a huge influence on Marcus Aurelius, who kept a copy of Epictetus’ works with him during his military campaigns. Epictetus’ main message to leaders was: “Take care of your integrity and duty; let fortune toss you where it will.” — something Marcus Aurelius took to heart. Finally, Musonius Rufus, less known than the big three of Stoicism, considered philosophy to be training for leadership. His lecture titled “That Kings Should also Study Philosophy” is about him advising a Syrian king who visited him. He tells the king plainly that there is “no one more appropriate to study philosophy than you, precisely because you are a king.” Musonius’ recipe for being a good leader is precisely what I outlined above — to lead from a place of virtue. And that ethical leadership is not possible without serious study, self-analysis, and self-cultivation.

Handling Power — A Stoic Way

Now, can we distill the Stoic lessons into a few key principles that can guide us should we come to be in possession of power over others? Let’s give it a try.

See Power as Duty, not Privilege. Remember Musonius Rufus’ point — leadership is a role you play, not who you are. Embrace the idea that you are a caretaker of whatever you oversee — a company, a team, or a nation. Or as Tywin Lannister wisely observed (this is the last Game of Thrones reference, I promise): “Any man who says ‘I am the king’ is no true king.”
Let Virtue Guide You. Let every decision be guided by principles of wisdom, justice, temperance, and courage. It sounds idealistic, but make it practical. In daily decisions, explicitly consider the four virtues. Is this course of action wise? (Am I seeing the big picture, learning from mistakes, and choosing the best option available based on evidence and reason?) Is it just? (Am I being fair and kind? Would I judge another leader favorably for doing this? Am I respecting the rights and dignity of everyone affected?) Is it temperate? (Am I exercising self-control, or indulging ego, greed, or anger? Could I proudly justify this decision publicly, or am I hiding selfish motives?) Is it courageous? (Am I doing what’s right, or just what’s easy? Am I avoiding necessary action out of fear?). If the action stands the test of virtues, you are good to go.
Practice Self-mastery. In Alien Clay, by Adrian Tchaikovsky, there is a powerful line: “The greatest privilege of power is being able to overlook that you’re even wielding it.” Awareness of the power you have is key. Start with that. Focus on developing habits that strengthen your self-control. An example is the Stoic practice of voluntary hardship — fasting, wearing simple clothes, exposure to heat or cold. My choice of hardship, for example, is practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Identify your common negative reactions to the unexpected (anxiety, anger, fear) and train yourself to react better. Introduce routines that make you most likely to act with virtue — protect and enhance your “bandwidth” (see my article Manager’s Bandwidth).
Maintain Perspective. Remember: memento mori. Every emperor dies. When you feel overburdened or self-important, zoom out: in 100 years, none of today’s trivial dramas will matter, but the character you exhibit may have a powerful ripple effect. Or here is another way to do that — remind yourself that outside your office, none of your titles or achievements, or your perception of how powerful you are, really matter. Practice gratitude — keep humble and connected to others — this may help mitigate the isolating bubble that often comes with power.
Listen to Wise Counsel. Surrond yourself with people who dare to speak the truth. As Marcus Aurelius said: “Take delight in being corrected.” Work to foster an environment where your colleagues can voice concerns without fear. Truth is a Stoic value (aligned with wisdom and justice), so make it easy for truth to reach you, however unpleasant. This guards against the echo chamber effect of power and helps you remain in touch with reality. As Frank Herbert said: “power attracts pathological personalities… it is magnetic to the corruptible.” Choose carefully who to trust and listen to.
Lead by Example. Ideally, you don’t just want to be a good leader yourself. You want others in your team to practice ethical leadership as well. As Musonius taught, “You will earn the respect of all if you begin by earning the respect of yourself.” Virtue is best taught by modeling it. Keep your promises, admit mistakes, and treat others with respect regardless of their status. Integrity inspires. Hypocrisy, however, destroys, and no amount of Stoic quotes on your office walls will matter.
Don’t Fear Losing Power, Fear Losing Virtue: Finally, Stoicism helps leaders deal with the anxiety of status. Because Stoics train themselves to accept fate, a leader can better face the prospect of retirement, defeat, or fall from grace. Seneca wrote that “fortune can take away riches, but has no power over one’s character”. This attitude is liberating. It means as a leader you won’t cling to power at all costs or do something unethical just to “stay on top.” Instead, you care more about how you lead than about how long you lead. Ironically, by focusing on virtue over survival, you often create a more sustainable and respected legacy. In Stoicism, character is the only crown that truly matters — and no one can take it from you unless you surrender it yourself.

Stoicism is often misunderstood as a philosophy of those who advocate retreat from power and the pleasures of life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Stoics were emperors, senators, businessmen, generals, public figures, and as such, they are all too aware of the dangers of wielding power without virtue. Rather than a retreat from power, Stoicism suggests reforming power.

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If fate grants you power, you have a profound opportunity (and, in fact, a duty) to exercise virtue on a grand stage. Philosophy can help with that. Here is advice from the philosopher king himself:

If you had a stepmother and a mother at the same time, you would be dutiful to your stepmother, but still you would constantly return to your mother.
Let the court and philosophy now be to you stepmother and mother. Return to philosophy frequently and repose in her, through whom what you meet with in the court appears to you tolerable, and you appear tolerable in the court.
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 6

Stoic philosophy, far from being abstract, was meant “to be put into practice” — and few situations test one’s practice more than having power. By holding to Stoic virtues, we can ensure that while power may test us, it will not change us for the worse. Instead, it will reveal a person worthy of the responsibility. Just look at Marcus Aurelius.

If you enjoyed this read, be sure to visit my homepage for articles on philosophy, learning, self-improvement, literature, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and more. Here are some you may be interested in: