Quotes from Marcus Aurelius

The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.

Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future too.

For it is in your power to retire into yourself whenever you choose.

Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life.

Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it.

Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.

Casting aside other things, hold to the precious few; and besides bear in mind that every man lives only the present, which is an indivisible point, and that all the rest of his life is either past or is uncertain. Brief is man's life and small the nook of the earth where he lives; brief, too, is the longest posthumous fame, buoyed only by a succession of poor human beings who will very soon die and who know little of themselves, much less of someone who died long ago.

Don't go on discussing what a good person should be. Just be one.

Receive without conceit, release without struggle.

It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.

If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying anything deserving of contempt.

How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life

A person's worth is measured by the worth of what he values.

Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil.

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

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

Whatever anyone does or says, I must be emerald and keep my colour.

If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one's own self-deception and ignorance.

Humans have come into being for the sake of each other, so either teach them, or learn to bear them.

Though you break your heart, men will go on as before.

Do what you will. Even if you tear yourself apart, most people will continue doing the same things.

Do not act as if you had ten thousand years to throw away. Death stands at your elbow. Be good for something while you live and it is in your power.

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

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.