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
formed happens man nature
Nothing happens to any man which he is not formed by nature to bear.
accept court declining favor gave grave invitation reason repay socrates wish
Socrates gave as his reason for declining an invitation to the court of Perdiccas, "I have no wish to go down to my grave with ignominy;" implying that he would accept no favor which he could not repay
act execute last life though thy
Execute every act of life as though it were thy last
acceptance judgement events
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.
morning men action
When you find an unwillingness to rise early in the morning, endeavor to rouse your faculties, and act up to your kind, and consider that you have to do the business of a man; and that action is both beneficial and the end of your being.
forgiveness ignorance men
It is right that man should love those who have offended him. He will do so when he remembers that all men are his relations, and that it is through ignorance and involuntarily that they sin,--and then we all die so soon.
time hands years
Be not as one that hath ten thousand years to live; death is nigh at hand: while thou livest, while thou hast time, be good.
love littles trade
Love the little trade which thou hast learned, and be content therewith.
wisdom ignorance persistence
I seek the truth...it is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance that does harm.
words-of-wisdom enemy kind
The noblest kind of retribution is not to become like your enemy.
words-of-wisdom connections all-things
Frequently consider the connection of all things in the universe.
life fall journey
Spend your brief moment according to nature's law, and serenely greet the journey's end as an olive falls when it is ripe, blessing the branch that bare it, and giving thanks to the tree that gave it life.
life sage occupation
Let thine occupations be few, saith the sage, if thou wouldst lead a tranquil life.
years may common
You exist but as a part inherent in a greater whole. Do not live as though you had a thousand years before you. The common due impends; while you live, and while you may, be good.