Marcus Aurelius quotes

Born
April 26, 121, Rome.

Died
March 17, 180.

Occupation
Roman Emperor.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus’ death in 169. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors.

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
– Marcus Aurelius

By a tranquil mind I mean nothing else than a mind well ordered.
– Marcus Aurelius

A man does not sin by commission only, but often by ommission.
– Marcus Aurelius

Everything that exists is in a manner the seed of that which will be.
– Marcus Aurelius

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.
– Marcus Aurelius

Life is a warfare and a stranger’s sojourn, and after fame is oblivion.
– Marcus Aurelius

Let not your mind run on what you lack as much as on what you have already.
– Marcus Aurelius
Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight.
– Marcus Aurelius
Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil.
– Marcus Aurelius
How ridiculous and unrealistic is the man who is astonished at anything that happens in life.
– Marcus Aurelius
If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgment of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgment now.
– Marcus Aurelius
How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.
– Marcus Aurelius
Confine yourself to the present.
– Marcus Aurelius
Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.
– Marcus Aurelius
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.
– Marcus Aurelius

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.
– Marcus Aurelius

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.
– Marcus Aurelius

A man should be upright, not be kept upright.
– Marcus Aurelius

Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.
– Marcus Aurelius

Do every act of your life as if it were your last.
– Marcus Aurelius

A candour affected is a dagger concealed.
– Marcus Aurelius

A candour affected is a dagger concealed.
– Marcus Aurelius

Here is the rule to remember in the future, When anything tempts you to be bitter: not, ”This is a misfortune” but ”To bear this worthily is good fortune.
– Marcus Aurelius

It is the act of a madman to pursue impossibilities.
– Marcus Aurelius

Men exist for the sake of one another.
– Marcus Aurelius

Live not as though there were a thousand years ahead of you. Fate is at your elbow; make yourself good while life and power are still yours.
– Marcus Aurelius

In the morning, when you are sluggish about getting up, let this thought be present: ‘I am rising to a man’s work.
– Marcus Aurelius

Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live.
– Marcus Aurelius

Every man’s life lies within the present; for the past is spent and done with, and the future is uncertain.
– Marcus Aurelius

Every man’s life lies within the present; for the past is spent and done with, and the future is uncertain.
– Marcus Aurelius

A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.
– Marcus Aurelius

Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.
– Marcus Aurelius

A little flesh, a little breath, and a Reason to rule all – that is myself.
– Marcus Aurelius

Death is a release from the impressions of the senses, and from desires that make us their puppets, and from the vagaries of the mind, and from the hard service of the flesh.
– Marcus Aurelius

Each thing is of like form from everlasting and comes round again in its cycle.
– Marcus Aurelius

I have often wondered how it is everyone loves himself more than the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than the opinions of others.
– Marcus Aurelius

Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people’s actions, and see what they would be at, as often as it is practicable; and to make this custom the more significant, practice it first upon yourself.
– Marcus Aurelius

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.
– Marcus Aurelius

Let men see, let them know, a real man, who lives as he was meant to live.
– Marcus Aurelius