Built to Serve, Ready to Surrender

“Am I doing anything I do with reference to the good of mankind? Does anything happen to me? I receive it and refer it to the gods, and the source of all things, from which all that happens is derived.”
— Marcus Aurelius

This quote captures Marcus Aurelius’s deeply Stoic orientation toward duty and perspective. He begins with a question of purpose—am I acting in service of the greater good, not just for myself?

Then, when events occur—good or bad—he reminds himself to “refer it to the gods,” or in Stoic terms, to universal reason, the source of all things.

The first part is about intent: aligning your actions with a broader human good.

The second is about acceptance: receiving all outcomes as natural, even necessary, parts of a larger, ordered whole.

It’s an invitation to live with purpose and surrender—to act with care, but not cling to control.

Entrepreneurs are often taught to “own the outcome.” But Marcus flips the script: own your intentions, yes—but release your grip on results.

Ask yourself regularly: Is this product, pitch, or campaign truly in service of others? If yes, you’ve already succeeded at the deepest level.

This mindset is especially powerful when things go wrong. A failed launch? Refer it to the source. A deal falls through? Accept it as part of a deeper unfolding.

Not with passivity, but with clarity—then move forward.

On the flip side, success should be seen the same way: not self-congratulation, but contribution. Build not to impress, but to serve.

That orientation roots you. It gives meaning in struggle and humility in triumph. Act for others. Accept what comes.

That’s Stoic entrepreneurship