Marcus Aurelius was not only one of Rome’s most beloved emperors – he was a philosopher and the last of the 5 Good Emperors of Rome. Marcus Aurelius quotes are windows into this man’s deep thoughts and profound outlook on life.
Marcus Aurelius was a stoic philosopher, publishing his famous book Meditations, a personal narrative on the emperor’s own spiritual reflections. Stoicism was a way of life for many, with the philosophy focused on key self virtues. Stoics aspired to always have a calm nature, free of aggravation. This may sound surprising, as Roman Emperors are often depicted as ruthless and bloodthirsty.
This emperor was born nearly 2000 years ago. Yet, his words still remain some of the most thought-provoking in history. This is one of the many reasons Marcus Aurelius is considered one of the best Roman emperors. Today, you can have a little insight into this incredibly wise man’s thoughts!
Discover these Marcus Aurelius Quotes to Bring Wisdom into your Life
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“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
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“Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.”
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“Almost nothing material is needed for a happy life, for he who has understood existence.”
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“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…”
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“Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself. “
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“The best answer to anger is silence.”
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“Objective judgement, now, at this very moment. Unselfish action, now, at this very moment. Willing acceptance, now, at this very moment – of all external events. That’s all you need.”
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“Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.”
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“To love only what happens, what was destined. No greater harmony.”
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“Life is short — the fruit of this life is a good character and acts for the common good.”
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“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”
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“How soon will time cover all things, and how many it has covered already.”
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“The first step: Don’t be anxious. Nature controls it all. And before long you’ll be no one, nowhere—like Hadrian, like Augustus. The second step: Concentrate on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being; remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it, without hesitation, and speak the truth as you see it. But with kindness. With humility. Without hypocrisy.”
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“Everything that happens, happens as it should, and if you observe carefully you will find this to be so.”
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“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 opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.”
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“You’re subject to sorrow, fear, jealousy, anger and inconsistency. That’s the real reason you should admit that you are not wise.”
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“Each of us needs what nature gives us, when nature gives it.”
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“The more we value things outside our control, the less control we have.”
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“Nothing natural is evil.”
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“He who follows reason in all things is both tranquil and active at the same time, and also cheerful and collected.”
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“To live the good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.”
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“A rock is thrown in the air. It loses nothing by coming down, gained nothing by going up.”
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“When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.”
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“It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them.”
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“Stick to what’s in front of you – idea, action, utterance.”
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“How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life.”
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“Be content to seem what you really are.”
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“Live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just.”
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“When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.”
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“Remember: Matter. How tiny your share of it. Time. How brief and fleeting your allotment of it. Fate. How small a role you play in it.”
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, where the children of Marcus and Faustina were buried -
“Receive without conceit, release without struggle.”
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“If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective?”
Do you feel a little wiser after reading these Marcus Aurelius quotes? We do too. This ancient emperor and philosopher was a man before his time. His words will remain tokens of wisdom for centuries to come!
