Marcus Aurelius on Should Lucy continue playing on her losing team?

By Marcus AureliusCharacter Development2 min readGrade 6.9
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Lucy loves playing soccer, but her team keeps losing every game. She's feeling discouraged.

The Choice

Should Lucy continue playing on her losing team?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 3-5
Reading Level
Level 6.935862126803087
Word Count
271 words
Published
Mar 23, 2026

The Dilemma

Lucy loves playing soccer, but her team keeps losing every game. She's feeling discouraged. Her friend Sam says, "Maybe we should try something else." Lucy knows quitting means losing time with her friends, but continuing could lead to more losses and frustration.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Perseverance
vs
Loyalty

Consider how these values might conflict or complement each other in this situation.

Your Options

A

Keep playing and try to improve.

B

Quit the team and find a new hobby.

Questions for Reflection

Take a moment to consider these questions. There are no "right" answers – the goal is to explore different perspectives and develop your own reasoning.

  1. 1

    Why might Lucy feel frustrated about losing?

  2. 2

    How could continuing help Lucy grow stronger?

  3. 3

    What could Lucy miss if she quits the team?

  4. 4

    How important is winning to enjoying an activity?

  5. 5

    Can you think of a time you were resilient?

Did you like this dilemma?

Loading poll data...

Philosophical Perspective

Insights from Marcus Aurelius

Take a moment to form your own thoughts first, then click to explore philosophical perspectives.

Related Topics

resilience
perseverance
Marble bust of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, featuring curly hair and beard, looking slightly to his left.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus121-180

Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE) was a Roman Emperor and a leading Stoic philosopher. His reign was marked by military conflict and plague, yet he is renowned for his Meditations, a personal journal reflecting on Stoic principles of virtue, duty, and resilience.

Stoicism
Practical application of Stoic philosophy to daily life and leadership
Emphasis on reason, virtue, and duty to the common good (cosmopolis)
Explore how Marcus Aurelius Antoninus informs this dilemma and discover additional ethical puzzles shaped by their ideas.
Learn more about Marcus Aurelius Antoninus or continue exploring dilemmas inspired by their philosophy.

Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

The Strength of Resilience — 5-10 minutes

Learning objectives:

  • -Identify the core ethical tension
  • -Make a quick, reasoned choice

Discussion prompts:

  • 1.Which option did you choose, and why?
  • 2.What would you give up with each choice?
participation