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
inspirational people tears
Do what you will. Even if you tear yourself apart, most people will continue doing the same things.
be-good
While you live, while it is in your power, be good.
hate voice people
When another blames you or hates you, or people voice similar criticisms, go to their souls, penetrate inside and see what sort of people they are. You will realize that there is no need to be racked with anxiety that they should hold any particular opinion about you.
holy pantheism
Everything is interwoven, and the web is holy.
change failure philosophical
Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature's delight.
doe loses
No one loses any other life than the one he now lives, nor does one live any other life than that which he will lose.
thank-you gratitude grateful
Take full account of what Excellencies you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.
faults study forget-you
When you are offended at anyone's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. By attending to them, you will forget your anger and learn to live wisely.
encouragement thinking generosity
When you need encouragement, think of the qualities the people around you have: this one's energy, that one's modesty, another's generosity, and so on. Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we're practically showered with them. It's good to keep this in mind.
community action social
Since you are an integral part of a social system, let every act of yours contribute to the harmonization of social life. Any action that is not related directly or remotely to this social aim disturbs your life, and destroys your unity.
two giving community
Always follow these two rules: first, act only on what your reasoning mind proposes for the good of humanity, and second, change your opinion if someone shows you it's wrong. This change of mind must proceed only from the conviction that it's both correct and for the common good, but not because it will give you pleasure and make you popular.
inspirational power judging
If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgement of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgement now.
inspirational life happiness
Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life.
nature philosophical men
Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.