Marcus Aurelius (121–180,) fully Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, born Marcus Annius Verus, was the Roman emperor 161–180. He was engaged for much of his rule with wars against Germanic tribes. By nature a philosophical contemplative, Marcus Aurelius is known for his aphorisms and reflections based on a Stoic outlook in his Meditations.
Born into a prominent Roman family, Marcus was adopted in 138 by Emperor Hadrian’s successor, Antoninus Pius (at Hadrian’s behest,) and he succeeded Antoninus as emperor in 161. During his reign, Rome faced troubles on the frontiers of the empire and Marcus’s death is often considered the end of the golden age of the Roman Empire.
Marcus Aurelius is well-known for the intimate notebook, Meditations, that he wrote during the military campaigns of the last ten years of his life. Removed from the cultural and intellectual life of Rome, he may have turned to philosophy for mental stimulation. These twelve books of unorganized private reflections on life, death, personal conduct, and the cosmos, owes much to Epictetus and Musonius, even though they were Marcus’s own thoughts.
Published unrevised only after Marcus Aurelius’s death, Meditations were not very influential straightway. Later considered by many generations one of the great books of all times, Meditations are a substantial source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.
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Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
—Marcus Aurelius
Waste no more time talking about great souls and how they should be. Become one yourself!
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Kindness
The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.
—Marcus Aurelius
We ought to do good to others as simply and naturally as a horse runs, or a bee makes honey, or a vine bears grapes season after season without thinking of the grapes it has borne.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Kindness, Goodness
Remember that what pulls the strings is the force hidden within; there lies the power to persuade, there the life—there, if one must speak out, the real man.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Confidence, Self-reliance
Let your one delight and refreshment be to pass from one service to the community to another, with God ever in mind.
—Marcus Aurelius
There is change in all things. You yourself are subject to continual change and some decay, and this is common to the entire universe.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Change
Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Death, Dying
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
—Marcus Aurelius
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Happiness, Thought, Thinking
Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy soul-for the soul is dyed by the thoughts. Dye it then, with a continuous series of such thoughts as these-that where a man can live, there if he will, he can also live well.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Thinking, Character, Habit
Thou must be like a promontory of the sea,
against which, though the waves beat continually,
yet it both itself stands, and about it are
those swelling waves stilled and quieted.
—Marcus Aurelius
It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.
—Marcus Aurelius
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Power
Neither worse then or better is a thing made by being praised.
—Marcus Aurelius
The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Positive Attitudes, Optimism
Forward, as occasion offers.
Never look round to see whether any shall note it….
Be satisfied with success in even the smallest matter,
and think that even such a result is no trifle.
—Marcus Aurelius
Your mind will be like its habitual thoughts; for the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. Soak it then in such trains of thoughts as, for example: Where life is possible at all, a right life is possible.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Attitude, Thoughts, Thinking, Life, Habit
Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not “This is misfortune,” but “To bear this worthily is good fortune.”
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Acceptance
Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.
—Marcus Aurelius
A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Thoughts, Thought, Thinking
You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
—Marcus Aurelius
Humans have come into being for the sake of each other, so either teach them, or learn to bear them.
—Marcus Aurelius