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98 Great Quotes By Marcus Aurelius That Hold Profound Lessons

Famous As: Philosopher
Born On: April 26, 121
Died On: March 17, 180
Born In: Rome, Italy
Died At Age: 58
Marcus Aurelius was the most idolized Roman Emperor who placed his empire prior to his life. His name has been well-maintained in relic till date. He ruled from 161 to 180. He is considered to be the endmost of the alleged ‘Five Good Emperors’. He was an eager follower of Stoicisim and that is revealed through his writings, thoughts, views and philosophical ideas that have been compiled and safeguarded in a diary, known across the globe as ‘Meditations’. It is considered as a conspicuous source of modern comprehension of ancient Stoic philosophy. Many commentators consider this work by Aurelius as one of the greatest works of philosophy. It is believed that Aurelius was a keen learner and took interest in literature, sciences, drama, geometry, philosophy and music. We bring to you some of the most quoted quotes and sayings by the leader of the senate which have been squandered from his writings, books, thoughts, works and life. Read through the quotes and thoughts by Marcus Aurelius whose words are still applicable, even after 2000 years. 
Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

Marcus Aurelius
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

Marcus Aurelius
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

Marcus Aurelius
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together,but do so with all your heart.

Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together,but do so with all your heart.

Marcus Aurelius
When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...

When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...

Marcus Aurelius
The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.

The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.

Marcus Aurelius
If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.

Marcus Aurelius
It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

Marcus Aurelius
Our life is what our thoughts make it.

Our life is what our thoughts make it.

Marcus Aurelius
The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.

The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.

Marcus Aurelius
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.

Marcus Aurelius
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.

Marcus Aurelius
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

Marcus Aurelius
Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

Marcus Aurelius
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others.

I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others.

Marcus Aurelius
Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.

Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.

Marcus Aurelius
The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.

The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.

Marcus Aurelius
How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.

How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.

Marcus Aurelius
Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?

Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?

Marcus Aurelius
The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.

The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.

Marcus Aurelius
Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

Marcus Aurelius
Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.

Marcus Aurelius
Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not

Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not "This is misfortune," but "To bear this worthily is good fortune.

Marcus Aurelius
How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbour says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.

How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbour says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.

Marcus Aurelius
You are a little soul carrying about a corpse, as Epictetus used to say.

You are a little soul carrying about a corpse, as Epictetus used to say.

Marcus Aurelius
Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.

Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.

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

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

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.

Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.

The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.

Marcus Aurelius
What we do now echoes in eternity.

What we do now echoes in eternity.

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.

A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.

Marcus Aurelius
Nothing happens to anybody which he is not fitted by nature to bear.

Nothing happens to anybody which he is not fitted by nature to bear.

Marcus Aurelius
Receive without conceit, release without struggle.

Receive without conceit, release without struggle.

Marcus Aurelius
Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what's left and live it properly. What doesn't transmit light creates its own darkness.

Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what's left and live it properly. What doesn't transmit light creates its own darkness.

Marcus Aurelius
Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretence.

Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

Marcus Aurelius
Accept whatever comes to you woven in the pattern of your destiny, for what could more aptly fit your needs?

Accept whatever comes to you woven in the pattern of your destiny, for what could more aptly fit your needs?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

Marcus Aurelius
Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself; whoever does injustice, does it to himself, making himself evil.

Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself; whoever does injustice, does it to himself, making himself evil.

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

Marcus Aurelius
The memory of everything is very soon overwhelmed in time.

The memory of everything is very soon overwhelmed in time.

Marcus Aurelius
Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish.

Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish.

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.

Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.

Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.

Marcus Aurelius
What we cannot bear removes us from life; what remains can be borne.

What we cannot bear removes us from life; what remains can be borne.

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
Misfortune nobly born is good fortune.

Misfortune nobly born is good fortune.

Marcus Aurelius
Take full account of what Excellencies you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.

Take full account of what Excellencies you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.

Marcus Aurelius
Unhappy am I because this has happened to me.- Not so, but happy am I, though this has happened to me, because I continue free from pain, neither crushed by the present nor fearing the future.

Unhappy am I because this has happened to me.- Not so, but happy am I, though this has happened to me, because I continue free from pain, neither crushed by the present nor fearing the future.

Marcus Aurelius
I was once a fortunate man but at some point fortune abandoned me. 
But true good fortune is what you make for yourself. Good fortune: good character, good intentions, and good actions.

I was once a fortunate man but at some point fortune abandoned me. But true good fortune is what you make for yourself. Good fortune: good character, good intentions, and good actions.

Marcus Aurelius
The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, in so far as it stands ready against the accidental and the unforeseen, and is not apt to fall.

The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, in so far as it stands ready against the accidental and the unforeseen, and is not apt to fall.

Marcus Aurelius
All men are made one for another: either then teach them better or bear with them.

All men are made one for another: either then teach them better or bear with them.

Marcus Aurelius
Confine yourself to the present.

Confine yourself to the present.

Marcus Aurelius
Life is opinion.

Life is opinion.

Marcus Aurelius
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

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

Marcus Aurelius
A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

Marcus Aurelius
All things fade and quickly turn to myth.

All things fade and quickly turn to myth.

Marcus Aurelius
It loved to happen.

It loved to happen.

Marcus Aurelius
How ridiculous and unrealistic is the man who is astonished at anything that happens in life.

How ridiculous and unrealistic is the man who is astonished at anything that happens in life.

Marcus Aurelius
Every living organism is fulfilled when it follows the right path for its own nature.

Every living organism is fulfilled when it follows the right path for its own nature.

Marcus Aurelius
No man is happy who does not think himself so.

No man is happy who does not think himself so.

Marcus Aurelius
Everything - a horse, a vine - is created for some duty... For what task, then, were you yourself created?

Everything - a horse, a vine - is created for some duty... For what task, then, were you yourself created?

Marcus Aurelius
Live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just.

Live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just.

Marcus Aurelius
Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break; but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.

Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break; but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.

Marcus Aurelius
Look beneath the surface; let not the several quality of a thing nor its worth escape thee.

Look beneath the surface; let not the several quality of a thing nor its worth escape thee.

Marcus Aurelius
Death is a release from the impressions of the senses, and from desires that make us their puppets, and from the vagaries of the mind, and from the hard service of the flesh.

Death is a release from the impressions of the senses, and from desires that make us their puppets, and from the vagaries of the mind, and from the hard service of the flesh.

Marcus Aurelius
Neither worse then or better is a thing made by being praised.

Neither worse then or better is a thing made by being praised.

Marcus Aurelius
Anger cannot be dishonest.

Anger cannot be dishonest.

Marcus Aurelius
A wrongdoer is often a man who has left something undone, not always one who has done something.

A wrongdoer is often a man who has left something undone, not always one who has done something.

Marcus Aurelius
From the philosopher Catulus, never to be dismissive of a friend's accusation, even if it seems unreasonable, but to make every effort to restore the relationship to its normal condition.

From the philosopher Catulus, never to be dismissive of a friend's accusation, even if it seems unreasonable, but to make every effort to restore the relationship to its normal condition.

Marcus Aurelius
All things of the body stream away like a river, all things of the mind are dreams and delusion; life is warfare, and a visit to a strange land; the only lasting fame is oblivion.

All things of the body stream away like a river, all things of the mind are dreams and delusion; life is warfare, and a visit to a strange land; the only lasting fame is oblivion.

Marcus Aurelius
That which is not good for the swarm, neither is it good for the bee.

That which is not good for the swarm, neither is it good for the bee.

Marcus Aurelius
The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does; just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing.

The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does; just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing.

Marcus Aurelius
The blazing fire makes flames and brightness out of everything thrown into it.

The blazing fire makes flames and brightness out of everything thrown into it.

Marcus Aurelius
Men exist for the sake of one another.

Men exist for the sake of one another.

Marcus Aurelius
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.

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.

Marcus Aurelius
Adapt yourself to the life you have been given; and truly love the people with whom destiny has surrounded you

Adapt yourself to the life you have been given; and truly love the people with whom destiny has surrounded you

Marcus Aurelius
The honest and good man ought to be exactly like a man who smells strong, so that the bystander as soon as he comes near him must smell whether he choose or not.

The honest and good man ought to be exactly like a man who smells strong, so that the bystander as soon as he comes near him must smell whether he choose or not.

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

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

Marcus Aurelius
As far as you can, get into the habit of asking yourself in relation to any action taken by another:

As far as you can, get into the habit of asking yourself in relation to any action taken by another: "What is his point of reference here?" But begin with yourself: examine yourself first.

Marcus Aurelius