"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."
Marcus Aurelius
Philosopher, Emperor
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, notable for his work 'Meditations', which explores themes of control and virtue.
- Born
- April 26, 0121
- Died
- March 17, 0180
- Quotes
- 777
- Rank
- #6
About Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius — Life and Legacy
Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, is celebrated not only for his leadership but also for his profound contributions to Stoic philosophy. His major work, 'Meditations', serves as a personal journal where he reflects on the principles of Stoicism, emphasizing the importance of self-control, rationality, and virtue in the face of life's challenges. Aurelius's key ideas revolve around the notion that true power lies within one's mind. He famously stated, 'You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.' This encapsulates his belief in personal responsibility and the ability to shape one's responses to external circumstances. His reflections encourage a mindset that embraces adversity as a pathway to growth, illustrating how challenges can refine one's character. The relevance of Aurelius's thoughts resonates today, as they provide guidance for navigating the complexities of modern life. His emphasis on resilience and control inspires individuals to cultivate inner strength and maintain focus on their values, making his insights timeless and impactful.
Quote collection
Marcus Aurelius quotes (page 1 of 39)
777 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"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."
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."
"Think of all the years passed by in which you said to yourself "I'll do it tomorrow," and how the gods have again and again granted you periods of grace of which you have not availed yourself. It is time to realize that you are a member of the Universe, that you are born of Nature itself, and to know that a limit has been set to your time. Use every moment wisely, to perceive your inner refulgence, or 'twill be gone and nevermore within your reach."
"It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinions than our own."
"Say to yourself in the early morning: I shall meet today ungrateful, violent, treacherous, envious, uncharitable men. All of these things have come upon them through ignorance of real good and ill... I can neither be harmed by any of them, for no man will involve me in wrong, nor can I be angry with my kinsman or hate him; for we have come into the world to work together."
"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones."
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
"The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject."
"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."
"You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone."
"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?"
"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."
"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
"A man's true greatness lies in the consciousness of an honest purpose in life, founded on a just estimate of himself and everything else, on frequent self-examinations, and a steady obedience to the rule which he knows to be right, without troubling himself about what others may think or say, or whether they do or do not that which he thinks and says and does."
"Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, 'Is this necessary?'"
"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one."
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."
"What we do in life ripples in eternity."
"Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back."