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Marcus Aurelius (born on April 26, 121 CE and died on March 17, 180) was a Roman emperor. He was a stoic philosopher and one of the ‘5 good emperors’ of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty. Marcus Aurelius has popularly ruled Rome with humanity, authority and competence. He is known for his stoic philosophy revealed to us in his series of personal writings called ‘Meditations’. We have compiled some of the most thought-provoking Marcus Aurelius quotes. Keep reading to know more about them.
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6 Famous Marcus Aurelius Quotes
Here are the most popular quotations from the emperor of Rome
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one
Marcus Aurelius
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one
Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.
The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.
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6+ Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Stoicism
Here are some of the best quotes from a stoic philosopher
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.
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.
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
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.
If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, by which no one was ever truly harmed. It is the person who continues in his self-deception and ignorance who is harmed.
Don’t return to philosophy as a task-master, but as patients seek out relief in a treatment of sore eyes, or a dressing for a burn, or from an ointment. Regarding it this way, you’ll obey reason without putting it on display and rest easy in its care
6 Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Life
Below are the best quotes by Marcus Aurelius on life and how to live
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
It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.
Marcus Aurelius
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life
The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
6 Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Discipline
Need motivation? Read these quotes on discipline by Marcus Aurelius
It’s time you realise that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet.
A man’s worth is no greater than his ambitions.
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
It is essential for you to remember that the attention you give to any action should be in due proportion to its worth, for then you won’t tire and give up if you aren’t busying yourself with lesser things beyond what should be allowed.
You have been formed of three parts—body, breath, and mind. Of these, the first two are yours insofar as they are only in your care. The third alone is truly yours.
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6 Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Challenges
As per Marcus Aurelius here is how you should face the challenges of life
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.
Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.
Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass also.
Marcus Aurelius
Don’t be ashamed of needing help. You have a duty to fulfill just like a soldier on the wall of battle. So what if you are injured and can’t climb up without another soldier’s help?
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way
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6 Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Love
Here are Marcus Aurelius’ quotes on love and relationships
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.
(Your love) has been given to you for the present, not that it should not be taken from you, nor has it been given to you for all time, but as a fig is given to you or a bunch of grapes at the appointed season of the year. But if you wish for these things in winter, you are a fool
I shall show you a love potion without a drug, without a herb; without the incantation of any sorceress: if you want to be loved, love
Marcus Aurelius
With regard to whatever objects give you delight, are useful, or are deeply loved, remember to tell yourself of what general nature they are, beginning from the most insignificant things. If, for example, you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, if it breaks, you will not be disturbed. If you kiss your child, or your wife, say that you only kiss things which are human, and thus you will not be disturbed if either of them dies
Not to display anger or other emotions. To be free of passion and yet full of love.
6+ Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Leadership
Read these quotes on leadership written by an emperor of Rome
That which is not good for the bee hive cannot be good for the bees.
To understand the true quality of people, you must look into their minds, and examine their pursuits and aversions
Because most of what we say and do is not essential. Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?
Marcus Aurelius
Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging.
Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn’t matter.
You shouldn’t give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don’t care at all.
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6 Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Death
Here are Marcus Aurelius’s thoughts on death
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
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.
Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight.
Marcus Aurelius
Do every act of your life as if it were your last.
About death: Whether it is a dispersion, or a resolution into atoms, or annihilation, it is either extinction or change
Now you have read it! The best and the most thought-provoking quotes by Marcus Aurelius. Write these quotes down or share them with anyone who needs an added dose of inspiration. You can also follow our page for more motivation.
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