Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aureliuswas 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 was a practitioner of Stoicism, and his untitled writing, commonly known as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, is the most significant source of our modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth26 April 121
CityRome, Italy
doubly joys life looking past pleasure present taste
The present joys of life we doubly taste by looking back with pleasure on the past
art firm living main ready stand unseen wrestling
The art of living is more like that of wrestling than of dancing; the main thing is to stand firm and be ready for an unseen attack.
fortune gives none
Fortune gives many too much, but none enough
perfume rather smell
I would rather smell of nothing than of perfume
advantage break esteem lose shall thee thy word
Never esteem anything as of advantage to thee that shall make thee break thy word or lose thy self-respect.
declares hooks invitation unless
Philo declares he never dines at home, and that is no exaggeration: He has no place whereat to dine in Rome, Unless he hooks an invitation
father great mind modesty wonder
So great is the modesty of your mind and face, Sophronius that I wonder you should ever have become a father
body endures falter life road shame
Shame on the soul, to falter on the road of life while the body yet endures
agree alike bad husband since wonder
Since you are so well matched, and so much alike - a very bad wife, and a very bad husband - I wonder that you do not agree
bear exist men sake teach
Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then or bear with them.
life merely
Life is not merely being alive, but being well
black eyes honest man red
With red hair, a black face, a cloven foot, and blear eyes, you show the world a prodigy, Zoilus, if you are an honest man
equal gone minute ours passing
The passing minute is every man's equal possession, but what has once gone by is not ours
enjoy life past twice
To be able to enjoy one's past life is to live twice