Marcus Aurelius
- 1. “You have power over your mind, not over external things. Understand this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.47
- 2. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.16
- 3. “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.16
- 4. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact; everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.22
- 5. “The soul becomes colored by the thoughts it entertains.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.16
- 6. “Accept what comes to you woven in the pattern of your destiny.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.57
- 7. “It is not death that a man should fear, but never beginning to live.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.36
- 8. “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.67
- 9. “Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.33
- 10. “The universe is change; life is opinion.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.3
- 11. “When you rise in the morning, think what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.1
- 12. “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.6
- 13. “Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.47
- 14. “If you are troubled by anything external, it is not the thing itself that disturbs you, but your judgment about it.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.47
- 15. “How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.18
- 16. “Do not let your mind dwell on what you lack, but on what you have.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.27
- 17. “Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what’s left and live it properly.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.56
- 18. “Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up if you will ever dig.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.59
- 19. “The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to avoid joining the ranks of the insane.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.30
- 20. “Nothing happens to any man which he is not formed by nature to bear.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.18
- 21. “He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.16
- 22. “Receive wealth or prosperity without arrogance, and be ready to let it go.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.33
- 23. “Whenever someone wrongs you, consider what led them to act so. Understanding will bring you compassion.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 9.38
- 24. “Because most of what we say and do is unnecessary, ask yourself at every moment: Is this essential?” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.24
- 25. “Confine yourself to the present.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.36
- 26. “To live a good life: we have the power to do it, if we can learn to be indifferent to things that make no difference.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.16
- 27. “We live only now. All else is either past or uncertain.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.29
- 28. “If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17
- 29. “Whatever happens to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.5
- 30. “Soon you will have forgotten all things, and all things will have forgotten you.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.21
- 31. “A man’s worth is measured by the worth of what he values.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.3
- 32. “What does not harm the community cannot harm the individual.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.22
- 33. “Our life is what our thoughts make it.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.3
- 34. “Begin each day with this thought: I shall meet with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will, and selfishness.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 2.1
- 35. “Each day provides its own gifts.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.41
- 36. “Nowhere can a man find a retreat more peaceful than within his own soul.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.3
- 37. “Loss is nothing but change, and change is Nature’s delight.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.23
- 38. “The things you think about determine the quality of your soul.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.16
- 39. “Don’t be wise only in words, but in deeds.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.16
- 40. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.20
What is Marcus Aurelius most famous for?
Marcus Aurelius is best known as the Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher who wrote Meditations, a timeless guide on self-discipline, virtue, and emotional strength that continues to inspire millions worldwide.
What can we learn from Marcus Aurelius’ quotes?
His quotes teach mindfulness, courage, and acceptance of life’s challenges. They remind us to master our thoughts, act with integrity, and live in harmony with nature and reason.
Why is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius so popular?
Meditations remains popular because it offers practical wisdom for inner peace, focusing on moral strength, perspective, and calmness, even amid chaos and suffering, a message still relevant today.
Are Marcus Aurelius’ teachings relevant today?
Yes, his Stoic philosophy aligns with modern mindfulness and mental resilience practices, teaching balance, focus, and emotional control in a fast-paced and uncertain world.
What is Stoicism according to Marcus Aurelius?
Stoicism, as seen in Meditations, teaches that happiness arises from virtue, rational thought, and acceptance of what we can’t control while maintaining moral strength in all situations.