Every person wants to leave a mark on this world. These Marcus Aurelius quotes will help you do exactly just that.
Born on April 26 121, Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who ruled from 161 to 180. His leadership is considered as the last of the Pax Romana, a long period of time where the Roman Empire lived in peace and prosperity. He was also the last of the Five Good Emperors.
A remarkable ruler, his reign went beyond the grasp of politics and battles. Also called the Philosopher, his personal philosophical writings called Meditations have since brought enlightenment to his readers. His writings have also been key to understanding ancient Stoic philosophy. Even with his death, his legacy lives on; not just as a ruler but as a man who cared enough to muse about life and its complexities.
Thousands of years later, his words continue to teach and inspire — strengthen even.
Here are 30 Marcus Aurelius quotes to help you keep it together and be the best version of yourself.
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. – Marcus Aurelius
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. – Marcus Aurelius
The only wealth which you will keep forever is the wealth you have given away. – Marcus Aurelius
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
Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. – Marcus Aurelius
Anger cannot be dishonest. – Marcus Aurelius
The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it. – Marcus Aurelius
To live happily is an inward power of the soul. – Marcus Aurelius
It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. – Marcus Aurelius
Death smiles at us all, but all a man can do is smile back. – Marcus Aurelius
That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees. – Marcus Aurelius
Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. – Marcus Aurelius
The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury. – Marcus Aurelius
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius
If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. – Marcus Aurelius
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. – Marcus Aurelius
The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius
Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present. – Marcus Aurelius
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one. – Marcus Aurelius
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. – Marcus Aurelius
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? – Marcus Aurelius
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. – Marcus Aurelius
How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it. – Marcus Aurelius
How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbour says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy. – Marcus Aurelius
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. – Marcus Aurelius
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
He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe. – Marcus Aurelius
Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look. – Marcus Aurelius
The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are. – Marcus Aurelius
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