Quotes by Marcus Aurelius

“That which has died falls not out of the universe. If it stays here, it also changes here, and is dissolved into its proper parts, which are elements of the universe and of thyself. And these too c...”

“If the gods have determined about me and about the things which must happen to me, they have determined well, for it is not easy even to imagine a deity without forethought; and as to doing me harm...”

“We must make haste then, not only because we are daily nearer to death, but also because the conception of things and the understanding of them cease first.”

“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.”

“As for thy thirst after books, away with it with all speed.”

“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind.”

“Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.”

“The world is mere change, and this life, opinion.”

“For the nearer everything is unto unpassionateness, the nearer it is unto power. And as grief doth proceed from weakness, so doth anger. For both, both he that is angry and grieveth, have received ...”

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

“The goal that you hope you will one day arrive at after a long and roundabout journey you are able to possess right now, if only you do not deny it to yourself. That is, if you can let go of the pa...”

“Observe always that everything is the result of change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing Nature loves so well as to change existing forms and make new ones like them.”

“When you run up against someone elses shamelessness, ask yourself this: Is a world without shamelessness possible?No. Then dont ask the impossible. There have to be shameless people in the world. T...”

“If all emotions are common coin, then what is unique to the good man?To welcome with affection what is sent by fate. Not to stain or disturb the spirit within him with a mess of false beliefs. Inst...”

“No more roundabout discussions of what makes a good man. Be one!”

“That which is really beautiful has no need of anything; not more than law, not more than truth, not more than benevolence or modesty.”

“Regain your senses, call yourself back, and once again wake up. Now that you realize that only dreams were troubling you, view this 'reality' as you view your dreams.”

“Everything that happens, happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.”

“How good it is when you have roast meat or suchlike foods before you, to impress on your mind that this is the dead body of a fish, this is the dead body of a bird or pig; and again, that the Faler...”

“When you arise in the moring, think of what a precious privelege it is to be alive-- to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love”