Marcus Aurelius Quotes

Not to live as if you had endless years ahead of you. Death overshadows you. While you're alive and able—be good. (Hays translation)

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

Why then dost thou choose to act in the same way? and why dost thou not leave these agitations which are foreign to nature, to those who cause them and those who are moved by them? And why art thou not altogether intent upon the right way of making use of things which happen to thee? for then thou wilt use them well, and they will be material for thee. Only attend to thyself, and resolve to be a good man in every act which thou doest; and remember...

If the gods care not for me and for my children, There is a reason for it.

Disturbance comes only from within—from our own perceptions. (Hays translation)

Don't be heard complaining about life at court. Not even to yourself.

There is a limit to the time assigned you, and if you don't use it to free yourself it will be gone and never return. (Hays translation)

Put an end once for all to this discussion of what a good man should be, and be one.

Doth perfect beauty stand in need of praise at all? Nay; no more than law, no more than truth, no more than loving kindness, nor than modesty.

Everything is born from change.

When faced with people’s bad behavior, turn around and ask when you have acted like that.

Stick to what’s in front of you—idea, action, utterance.

So remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune.

The best revenge is not to be like that.

If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it. For let thy efforts be —