Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE,) 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 philosophical contemplative, Marcus is also 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.) Marcus 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 is well-known for the intimate notebook, Meditations that he wrote during the military campaigns of the last ten years of his life. According to scholars, Marcus may have turned to philosophy for mental stimulation while removed from the cultural and intellectual life of Rome.
The twelve books that comprise the Meditations are unorganized private reflections on life, death, personal conduct, and the cosmos, owe much to the Stoic philosophers Epictetus and Gaius Musonius Rufus, even though they were Marcus’s own thoughts.
Published unrevised only after Marcus’s death, Meditations were not very influential straightway. Later considered by many generations one of the greatest books of all times, Meditations are a substantial source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by 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
Let your one delight and refreshment be to pass from one service to the community to another, with God ever in mind.
—Marcus Aurelius
The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Optimism, Positive Attitudes
It is not the weight of the future or the past that is pressing upon you, but ever that of the present alone. Even this burden, too, can be lessened if you confine it strictly to its own limits.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: The Present
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
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: Habit, Thinking, Character
Neither worse then or better is a thing made by being praised.
—Marcus Aurelius
Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Death, Dying
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: Self-reliance, Confidence
To live each day as though one’s last, never flustered, never apathetic, never attitudinizing—here is perfection of character.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Time Management
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
It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.
—Marcus Aurelius
A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Thinking, Thought, Thoughts
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
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Thinking, Happiness, Thought
Waste no more time talking about great souls and how they should be. Become one yourself!
—Marcus Aurelius
Topics: Kindness
Humans have come into being for the sake of each other, so either teach them, or learn to bear them.
—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
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
—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
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: Life, Habit, Thinking, Thoughts, Attitude
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
Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.
—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
You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
—Marcus Aurelius
Treat with utmost respect your power of forming opinions, for this power alone guards you against making assumptions that are contrary to nature and judgments that overthrow the rule of reason.
—Marcus Aurelius
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