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
book friend lots plain poems
Some good, some so-so, and lots plain bad: that's how a book of poems is made, my friend
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.
false itself man vice vicious
It is false to say that you are a vicious man, Zoilus; you are not a vicious man, you are vice itself
drinks mistake morning next till
It is a mistake to think that Acerra reeks of yesterday's liquor: Acerra always drinks till next morning
advantage blaming break circumstance esteem lose people word
People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.
august certainly somewhat
It certainly is uncomfortable for everybody. It's somewhat of an anomaly. We're still in August but temperatures like this are uncommon.
fortune gives none
Fortune gives many too much, but none enough
ashes glory late paid
Glory paid to our ashes comes too late
fit leave true
If it does not fit leave it, if it is not true do not say it.
epigram frivolous meant misses thinks
He misses what is meant by epigram - who thinks it only frivolous flimflam
flesh ruling whatever
Whatever this is that I am, it is a little flesh and breath, and the ruling part.
befall thee whatever
Whatever may befall thee, it was preordained for thee from everlasting
beautiful beauty complete forms hath none nor praise source whatever worse
Whatever is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised.
happens watch whatever
Whatever happens at all happens as it should; you will find this true, if you watch narrowly.