Marcus Aurelius Quotes

50 quotes

16th Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 and Stoic philosopher

“It is not death that a man should fear he should fear never beginning to live.”

"Here is a rule to remember when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not "This is a misfortune " but "To bear this worthily is good fortune.""

on Wisdom

"Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig."

on Self Awareness

"When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ..."

on Gratitude

"Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect."

on Wisdom

"Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears."

on Psychology

"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."

on Death

"Live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just."

on Truth

"Take full account of what Excellencies you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not."

on Wisdom

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."

on Happiness

"Be your own master, and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal creature."

on Identity

"All men are made one for another: either then teach them better or bear with them."

on Community

"Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretence."

on Character

"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them."

on Life

"It is in your own power to maintain the beauty of your soul, or to be a decent human being."

on Ethics

"A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions."

on Wisdom

"The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury."

on Wisdom

"Why do we shrink from change? What can come into being save by change?"

on Philosophy

"Our life is what our thoughts make it."

on Self Awareness

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

on Life

"Love only what befalls you and is spun for you by fate."

on Love