Marcus Aurelius

"How barbarous, to deny men the privilege of pursuing what they imagine to be their proper concerns and interests! Yet, in a sense, this is just what you are doing when you allow your indignation to rise at their wrongdoing; for after all, they are only following their own apparent concerns and interests. You say they are mistaken? Why then, tell them so, and explain it to them, instead of being indignant."

3 likes

Source: Marcus Aurelius Antonius (2016). “The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius”, p.80, Jester House Publishing via PublishDrive

About the author

Marcus Aurelius

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.

All quotes by Marcus Aurelius →

Same author

More quotes by Marcus Aurelius

See all →
Marcus Aurelius Philosopher, Emperor

"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."

Read quote
Marcus Aurelius Philosopher, Emperor

"It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinions than our own."

Read quote
Marcus Aurelius Philosopher, Emperor

"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."

Read quote