The Noble Art of Distinction

Imagine the daily grind: tasks you groan at, responsibilities that feel beneath your potential. You might dream of bigger things, dismissing the present as unimportant, even embarrassing. But history whispers a different tale, one told by Plutarch about Epaminondas, a brilliant ancient Greek leader.

This guy? A powerhouse on the battlefield and in politics. Yet, jealous rivals threw him a curveball – overseeing Thebes' sewers, a seemingly petty, demeaning job. Most would sulk, but Epaminondas did something unexpected. He embraced it. "The office doesn't make the man," he declared, "the man makes the office."

With dedication and passion, he transformed this "lowly" position into one of respect. Plutarch tells us that clearing ditches and managing water flow became an honorable, even admired task under Epaminondas' leadership.

The Stoics had a similar view. They believed it wasn't the job itself, but the character you brought to it. Musonius Rufus, exiled and forced to dig ditches, summed it up well: "Does digging for Greece bother you? Would you prefer seeing me fiddle like Nero?" He embodied the Stoic principle: any task, done with excellence and virtue, is noble, whether grand or humble.

Think of Cicero's idea of temperance, the polish that makes a life shine. Look at Marcus Aurelius, emperor, yet impressive not for his throne, but for his self-control, discipline, and "kingly" behavior. He didn't crave power or status, but "perfection of character," living each day, regardless of the task, "without frenzy or sloth or pretense." He aimed to be his best self, adding a touch of excellence to every moment, big or small.

So, the next time you find yourself stuck in the mundane, remember Epaminondas, Musonius, and Marcus. It's not about the task itself, but the character you bring to it. Every moment is an opportunity to be your best self, to add a touch of excellence, and maybe, just maybe, inspire others to do the same.