77 Marcus Aurelius Quotes: Wisdom from a Roman Emperor

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1. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

2. “Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it.”

3. “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength”

4. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”

5. “Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what’s left and live it properly.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what’s left and live it properly.”

6. “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”

8. “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

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “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.”

9. “It isn’t manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “It isn’t manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”

11. “Poverty is the mother of crime.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Poverty is the mother of crime.”

12. “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

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “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.”

13. “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

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “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.”

14. “That cucumber is bitter, so toss it out! There are thorns on the path, then keep away! Enough said. Why ponder the existence of nuisance?

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “That cucumber is bitter, so toss it out! There are thorns on the path, then keep away! Enough said. Why ponder the existence of nuisance?”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

16. “No man can escape his destiny, the next inquiry being how he may best live the time that he has to live.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “No man can escape his destiny, the next inquiry being how he may best live the time that he has to live.”

17. “There is no nature which is inferior to art, for the arts imitate the nature of things.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “There is no nature which is inferior to art, for the arts imitate the nature of things.”

18. “Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible.”

19. “Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.”

20. “That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees.”

21. “Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it.”

22. “The mind freed from passions is an impenetrable fortress—a person has no more secure place of refuge for all time.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The mind freed from passions is an impenetrable fortress—a person has no more secure place of refuge for all time.”

23. “Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.”

24. “Accept the things to which fate binds you. Love the people with whom fate brings you together.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Accept the things to which fate binds you. Love the people with whom fate brings you together.”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

26. “It’s all in how you perceive it. You’re in control. You can dispense with misperception at will, like rounding the point.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “It’s all in how you perceive it. You’re in control. You can dispense with misperception at will, like rounding the point.”

27. “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

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “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.”

28. “It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.”

29. “Give thyself leisure to learn some good thing, and cease roving and wandering to and fro.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Give thyself leisure to learn some good thing, and cease roving and wandering to and fro.”

30. “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

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “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.”

31. “Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.”

32. “Often injustice lies in what you aren’t doing, not only in what you are doing.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Often injustice lies in what you aren’t doing, not only in what you are doing.”

33. “Because most of what we say and do is not essential. Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Because most of what we say and do is not essential. Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?”

34. “Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.”

35. “If someone can show me that what I think or do is not right, I’ll gladly change. For I seek the truth.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “If someone can show me that what I think or do is not right, I’ll gladly change. For I seek the truth.”

36. “Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask the following question ‘what fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticise?’

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask the following question ‘what fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticise?’”

37. “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks.”

38. “We love ourselves more than others, but we value others’ opinions more than our own.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “We love ourselves more than others, but we value others’ opinions more than our own.”

39. “You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its goal as far as possible—and no one can keep you from this.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its goal as far as possible—and no one can keep you from this.”

40. “Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature's delight.”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just.”

42. “You don’t have to turn this into something. It doesn’t have to upset you.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “You don’t have to turn this into something. It doesn’t have to upset you.”

43. “Don’t you see how much you have to offer? And yet you still settle for less.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Don’t you see how much you have to offer? And yet you still settle for less.”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil.”

45. “He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.”

46. “It is the responsibility of leadership to work intelligently with what is given, and not waste time fantasizing about a world of flawless people and perfect choices.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “It is the responsibility of leadership to work intelligently with what is given, and not waste time fantasizing about a world of flawless people and perfect choices.”

47. “How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.”

48. “Begin – to begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this, and thou wilt have finished.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Begin - to begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this, and thou wilt have finished.”

49. To live the good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “To live the good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.”

50. “Take a good hard look at people’s ruling principle, especially of the wise, what they run away from & what they seek out.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Take a good hard look at people’s ruling principle, especially of the wise, what they run away from & what they seek out.”

51. “Give yourself a gift; the present moment.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Give yourself a gift; the present moment.”

52. “When you’ve done well and another has benefited by it, why like a fool do you look for a third thing on top—credit for the good deed or a favor in return?

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “When you’ve done well and another has benefited by it, why like a fool do you look for a third thing on top—credit for the good deed or a favor in return?”

53. “Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us.”

54. “Humans are here for the sake of each other. So either teach them, or learn to bear them.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Humans are here for the sake of each other. So either teach them, or learn to bear them.”

55. “Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging.”

56. “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself and in your way of thinking.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself and in your way of thinking.”

57. “Let men see, let them know, a real man, who lives as he was meant to live.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Let men see, let them know, a real man, who lives as he was meant to live.”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.”

59. “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”

60. “Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.”

61. “Whatever the universal nature assigns to any man at any time is for the good of that man at that time.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Whatever the universal nature assigns to any man at any time is for the good of that man at that time.”

62. “Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.”

63. “Every living organism is fulfilled when it follows the right path for its own nature.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Every living organism is fulfilled when it follows the right path for its own nature.”

64. “Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought, for the human spirit is colored by such impressions.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought, for the human spirit is colored by such impressions.”

65. “You shouldn’t give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don’t care at all.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “You shouldn’t give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don’t care at all.”

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

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.”

67. “Life is short — the fruit of this life is a good character and acts for the common good.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Life is short -- the fruit of this life is a good character and acts for the common good.”

68. “Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.”

69. “It’s unfortunate that this has happened. No. It’s fortunate that this has happened and I’ve remained unharmed.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “It’s unfortunate that this has happened. No. It’s fortunate that this has happened and I’ve remained unharmed.”

70. “The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.”

71. “Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.”

72. “It’s a disgrace in this life when the soul surrenders first while the body refuses to.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “It’s a disgrace in this life when the soul surrenders first while the body refuses to.”

73. “This is the mark of perfection of character—to spend each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, laziness, or any pretending.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “This is the mark of perfection of character—to spend each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, laziness, or any pretending.”

74. “We are like many pellets of incense falling on the same altar. Some collapse sooner, others later, but it makes no difference.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “We are like many pellets of incense falling on the same altar. Some collapse sooner, others later, but it makes no difference.”

75. “To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.”

76. “There is but one thing of real value – to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.”

77. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

– Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Quote: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
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