Marcus Aurelius quotes - page 4

No state sorrier than that of the man who keeps up a continual round, and pries into "the secrets of the nether world," as saith the poet, and is curious in conjecture of what is in his neighbour's heart. (Marcus Aurelius)
Think on this doctrine,-that reasoning beings were created for one another's sake; that to be patient is a branch of justice, and that men sin without intending it.
Marcus Aurelius
Do what nature now requires. Set thyself in motion, if it is in thy power, and do not look about thee to see if any one will observe it; nor yet expect Plato's Republic: but be content if the smallest thing goes on well, and consider such an event to be no small matter.
Marcus Aurelius
Objective judgment, now, at this very moment. Unselfish action, now, at this very moment. Willing acceptance-now, at this very moment-of all external events. That's all you need. (Hays translation)
Marcus Aurelius
External things are not the problem. It's your assessment of them. Which you can erase right now.
Marcus Aurelius
It's silly to try to escape other people's faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own. (Hays translation)
Marcus Aurelius
If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying anything deserving of contempt.
Marcus Aurelius
That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees.
Marcus Aurelius
If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgement of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgement now.
Marcus Aurelius
He who follows reason in all things is both tranquil and active at the same time, and also cheerful and collected.
Marcus Aurelius
Be not as one that hath ten thousand years to live; death is nigh at hand: while thou livest, while thou hast time, be good. (Marcus Aurelius)
Consider thyself to be dead, and to have completed thy life up to the present time; and live according to nature the remainder which is allowed thee.
Marcus Aurelius
The blazing fire makes flames and brightness out of everything thrown into it.
Marcus Aurelius
Depart then satisfied, for he also who releases thee is satisfied.
Marcus Aurelius
Love the little trade which thou hast learned, and be content therewith.
Marcus Aurelius
Retire into thyself. The rational principle which rules has this nature, that it is content with itself when it does what is just, and so secures tranquility.
Marcus Aurelius
Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.
Marcus Aurelius
Thou art a little soul bearing about a corpse, as Epictetus used to say.
Marcus Aurelius
How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life.
Marcus Aurelius
Do what you will. Even if you tear yourself apart, most people will continue doing the same things.
Marcus Aurelius
Look at everything that exists, and observe that it is already in dissolution and change, and as it were putrefaction or dispersion, or that everything is so constituted in nature as to die. (Marcus Aurelius)
If any man can convince me and bring home to me that I do not think or act aright, gladly will I change; for I search after truth, by which man never yet was harmed. But he is harmed who abideth on still in his deception and ignorance.
Marcus Aurelius
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.
Marcus Aurelius
Take full account of what excellencies which you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.
Marcus Aurelius
Every living organism is fulfilled when it follows the right path for its own nature.
Marcus Aurelius