Quotes from Marcus Aurelius

The mind, unconquered by violent passions, is a citadel, for a man has no fortress more impregnable in which to find refuge and remain safe forever.

If any man is able to convince me and show me that I do not think or act rightly, I will gladly change; for I seek the truth

We're all human beings. Why hate anyone, flatter anyone, lord over anyone, or bow before anyone?

For thou art born a mere slave, to thy senses and brutish affections;" destitute without teaching of all true knowledge and sound reason. 28.

Nothing that goes on in anyone else's mind can harm you. Nor can the shifts and changes in the world around you. —Then where is harm to be found? In your capacity to see it.

Death. The end of sense-perception, of being controlled by our emotions, of mental activity, of enslavement to our bodies.

Shall I do it? I will; so the end of my action be to do good unto men. Doth anything by way of cross or adversity happen unto me? I accept it, with reference unto the Gods, and their providence; the fountain of all things, from which whatsoever comes to pass, doth hang and depend

To wait until the emergency is to be too late.

Both rate men's praise or blame at their real worthlessness; 'Let not thy peace,' says the Christian, 'be in the mouths of men.' But it is to God's censure the Christian appeals, the Roman to his own soul.

Don't stray, but do what's right whenever you're moved to act, and stick with what's clear and certain whenever you think.

When thou hast been compelled by circumstances to be disturbed in a manner, quickly return to thyself, and do not continue out of tune longer than the compulsion lasts; for thou wilt have more mastery over the harmony by continually recurring to it.

How foolish it is, then, to puff yourself up with pride or berate yourself with worry. Think of the boundless abyss of the past behind you and the infinite future stretching out ahead. From this perspective, how small are your achievements—and how petty your troubles.