Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

121-180 CE • Roman

Stoicism

Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher. His private Meditations remain one of the most influential works of practical philosophy.

Key Works

  • Meditations
119

quotes in library

Quotes by Marcus Aurelius

119 quotes
The mind in itself wants nothing, unless it creates a want for itself; therefore it is both free from perturbation and unimpeded.
mindMeditations 4.3
Each man's life is what his thoughts make of it.
mindMeditations 4.3
Always think of the universe as one living being, with one substance and one soul.
unityMeditations 4.40
Whatever happens to you, has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time.
acceptanceMeditations 10.5
When you've done well and another has benefited by it, why like a fool do you look for a third reward besides?
virtueMeditations 7.73
Tomorrow is nothing; today is too late; the good lived yesterday.
presenceMeditations
A man's life is dyed the color of his imagination.
mindMeditations 5.16
Don't seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will.
acceptanceMeditations (Stoic theme)
Either teach them better if it be in thy power, or bear with them.
compassionMeditations 9.11
Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then, or bear with them.
kinshipMeditations 8.59
We are made for cooperation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of upper and lower teeth.
kinshipMeditations 2.1
Take pleasure in one thing and rest in it, in passing from one social act to another, thinking of God.
serviceMeditations 6.7
Whatever this is that I am, it is a little flesh and breath, and the ruling part.
selfMeditations 2.2
The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.
soulMeditations 5.16
If you see something good, take it. If you see something bad, leave it. The standard is reason.
reasonMeditations
What does not transmit light creates its own darkness.
responsibilityMeditations
All things must decay; and the soul is no more eternal than the body.
impermanenceMeditations 4.5
It is the act of a madman to pursue impossibilities.
acceptanceMeditations 5.17
Pain is neither intolerable nor everlasting if you bear it in mind.
sufferingMeditations 7.33
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