Quotes by Marcus Aurelius

Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil.

God give me patience, to reconcile with what I am not able to changeGive me strength to change what I canAnd give me wisdom to distinguish one from another.

He is so rich, he has no room to shit.

Even the least of our activities ought to have some end in view.

For it is in your power to retire into yourself whenever you choose.

III. I have often wondered how it should come to pass, that every man loving himself best, should more regard other mens opinions concerning himself than his own. For if any God or grave master standing by, should command any of us to think nothing by himself but what he should presently speak out; no man were able to endure it, though but for one day. Thus do we fear more what our neighbours will think of us, than what we ourselves.

All things fade into the storied past, and in a little while are shrouded in oblivion.

I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others.

What need of prompt or hint when it is open to yourself to discern what needs to be done - and, if you can see your way, to follow it with kind but undeviating intent. If you cannot see the way, hold back and consult your best advisors. if some other factors obstruct this advice, proceed on your present resources, but with cautious deliberations, keeping always to what seems just. Justice is the best aim, as any failure is in fact a failure of justice.A man following reason in all things combines relaxation with initiative, spark with composure.

It is a ridiculous thing for a man not to fly from his own badness, which is indeed possible, but to fly from other mens badness, which is impossible.

You should always be ready to apply these two rules of action, the first, to do nothing other than what the kingly and law-making art ordains for the benefits of humankind, and, the second, to be prepared to change your mind if someone is at hand to put you right and guide you away from some groundless opinion.

Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?

Every man is worth just so much as the things about which he busies himself.

How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.

It is not the actions of others which trouble us (for those actions are controlled by their governing part), but rather it is our own judgments. Therefore remove those judgments and resolve to let go of your anger, and it will already be gone. How do you let go? By realizing that such actions are not shameful to you.

A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

That all is as thinking makes it so – and you control your thinking. So remove your judgements whenever you wish and then there is calm - as the sailor rounding the cape finds smooth water and the welcome of a waveless bay.

Our thoughts is what our life make it

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.