[Isamu]

He studied the greek classics with a mentor before he became Emperor. His Meditations reflect his study. He didn’t want to become Emperor because he viewed it as a life of strict duty and tasks that he didn’t want to do, like going on military campaigns.

[grey-area]

Sure but why was he attracted to this philosophy, even though he had lots of power? It directly contradicts the OPs argument.

Nothing has changed in this since his time - humans will always have things they cannot change and things they can change.