Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE) was not only a wise ruler of the Roman Empire — the last of the “Five Good Emperors” of the Pax Romana — he was also a Stoic philosopher who espoused the enduring value of virtue, logic, and will. He believed that strong-willed people who cultivated inner peace and positive emotions could find happiness regardless of circumstance and did not need fortune, fame, or material goods to achieve satisfaction in life. If we can seek out joy in the small things and feel gratitude for what we have, happiness is always within reach.