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
call explore plan substance time
There comes a time when you may have to call for help. Do we have a plan of substance in place? Yes. Are there things we need to explore further? Probably. Will we do so? Yes.
declares hooks invitation unless
Philo declares he never dines at home, and that is no exaggeration: He has no place whereat to dine in Rome, Unless he hooks an invitation
body endures falter life road shame
Shame on the soul, to falter on the road of life while the body yet endures
agree alike bad husband since wonder
Since you are so well matched, and so much alike - a very bad wife, and a very bad husband - I wonder that you do not agree
bear exist men sake teach
Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then or bear with them.
life merely
Life is not merely being alive, but being well
perfume rather smell
I would rather smell of nothing than of perfume
father great mind modesty wonder
So great is the modesty of your mind and face, Sophronius that I wonder you should ever have become a father
compared embrace music sexual
The sexual embrace can only be compared with music and with prayer.
bubble dig ready wellspring within
Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.
certain consider correct deal dost enable great judgment learn man men pass reference thou understand whether wrong
Consider that thou dost not even understand whether men are doing wrong or not, for many things are done with a certain reference to circumstance. And, in short, a man must learn a great deal to enable him to pass a correct judgment on another man's acts.
astonished fraud frequently friend good learn man regard
Are you astonished Aulus, that our friend Fabullinus is so frequently deceived? A good man has always something to learn in regard to fraud
exist free robber writes
The robber of your free will," writes Epictetus, "does not exist
cheek shy stain
To read my book, the virgin shy - May blush, while Brutus standeth by: But when he's gone, read through what's writ, And never stain a cheek for it