Quotes from Marcus Aurelius

Things gravitate toward what they were intended for.

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

La vanidad que se exalta bajo capa de modestia es la más insoportable de todas.

33. To accept it without arrogance, to let it go with indifference.

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

Everywhere, at each moment, you have the option: to accept this event with humility to treat this person as he should be treated to approach this thought with care, so that nothing irrational creeps in.

But Marcus Aurelius knows that what the heart is full of, the man will do.

For whatsoever it be, it is in thy power either to do it, or to say it, and therefore seek not any pretences, as though thou wert hindered.

Epictetus nicely likened this process to gaming: "The counters are indifferent and the dice are indifferent: how do I know which way they will fall? But to use the throw carefully and skillfully, that is my job.

No hay que irritarse con las cosas, pues a ellas nada les importa

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

the main thing we were made for is to work with others. Secondly, to resist our body's urges. Because things driven by logos—by thought—have the capacity for detachment—to resist impulses and sensations, both of which are merely corporeal. Thought seeks to be their master, not their subject.

my soul, the time I trust will be, when thou shalt be good, simple, single, more open and visible, than that body by which it is enclosed. Thou wilt one day be sensible of their happiness, whose end is love, and their affections dead to all worldly things. Thou shalt one day be full, and in want of no external thing: not seeking pleasure from anything, either living or insensible

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.

When people injure you, ask yourself what good or harm they thought would come of it. If you understand that, you'll feel sympathy rather than outrage or anger. Your sense of good and evil may be the same as theirs, or near it, in which case you have to excuse them. Or your sense of good and evil may differ from theirs. In which case they're misguided and deserve your compassion

While you live—while you can—be a good man.

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

Speak what you really think, not what you think people want to hear.

Other people may try to impede your actions, but they can't impede your thoughts and disposition. Using your reason and imagination, you can find a way to turn any impediment to your advantage.

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.

37. Disgraceful: that the mind should control the face, should be able to shape and mold it as it pleases, but not shape and mold itself.

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.