Quotes from Marcus Aurelius

71. It's silly to try to escape other people's faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.

What man can you show me who places any value on his time, who reckons the worth of each day, who understands that he is dying daily? For we are mistaken when we look forward to death; the major portion of death has already passed. Whatever years be behind us are in death's hands.

Cuánta holgura se logra si no se mira lo que el vecino dijo, hizo o pensó, sino lo que hace uno mismo, para que también esta acción sea justa, santa y conforme con el bien! No observes los malos caracteres, sino lleva adelante tu camino hacia el fin, sin mirar acá ni allá, por los lados.

The winds blow upon the trees, and their leaves fall upon the ground. Then do the trees begin to bud again, and by the spring-time they put forth new branches. So is the generation of men; some come into the world, and others go out of it.' Of these leaves then thy children are. And they also that applaud thee so gravely, or, that applaud thy speeches, with that their usual acclamation

Wisdom is knowledge of good and bad; courage is knowledge of what to fear and what not to fear; moderation is knowledge of what to pursue and what to avoid; justice is knowledge of what to give or what not to give others.

And don't go expecting Plato's Republic; be satisfied with even the smallest progress, and treat the outcome of it all as unimportant.

What do you want, rational minds or irrational?" Rational minds. "What sort of rational minds, calm or disturbed?" Calm. "How can you acquire calm, rational minds?" We already have them. "Really? Then why are you squabbling among yourselves?" —Socrates

For every action, ask: How does it affect me? Could I change my mind about it?

aplicar la anécdota referida a Sócrates[162] de que podía al tiempo abstenerse y disfrutar de aquello por lo que la mayoría en caso de abstinencia se siente débil y en caso de disfrute se dejan llevar; ser fuerte y resistente y en ambas cosas ser sobrio [es

So what should one take seriously? Only the following: a just mind, socially useful actions, speech that only ever tells the truth, and the ability to welcome everything that happens as necessary

if in every particular action thou dost perform what is fitting to the utmost of thy power, let it suffice thee. And who can hinder thee, but that thou mayest perform what is fitting? But there may be some outward let and impediment. Not any, that can hinder thee, but that whatsoever thou dost, thou may do it, justly, temperately, and with the praise of God.

If, at some point in your life, you should come across anything better than justice, prudence, self-control, courage — than a mind satisfied that it has succeeded in enabling you to act rationally, and satisfied to accept what's beyond its control — if you find anything better than that, embrace it without reservations — it must be an extraordinary thing indeed — and enjoy it to the full.

I have to go to work—as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I'm going to do what I was born for—the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?

If you work at that which is before you, following right reason seriously, vigorously, calmly, without allowing anything else to distract you, but keeping your divine part pure, as if you should be bound to give it back immediately; if you hold to this, expecting nothing, fearing nothing, but satisfied with your present activity according to nature, and with heroic truth in every word and sound which you utter, you will live happy. And there is no-one who is able to prevent this.

Don't let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole. Don't try to picture everything bad that could possibly happen. Stick with the situation at hand, and ask, "Why is this so unbearable? Why can't I endure it?" You'll be embarrassed to answer.

A good eye must be good to see whatsoever is to be seen, and not green things only. For that is proper to sore eyes. So must a good ear, and a good smell be ready for whatsoever is either to be heard, or smelt: and a good stomach as indifferent to all kinds of food, as a millstone is, to whatsoever she was made for to grind.

Haz por semejarte al peñasco batido sin cesar por las olas: permanece inmóvil y a su alrededor desmaya la efervescencia de las aguas.

Think often the connection of all things in the world and their mutual relations, they are arguably intertwined with each other and thus have for each other a mutual friendship, and that under the connection that leads him and the unity of matter

It is a ridiculous thing for a man not to fly from his own badness, which is indeed possible, but to fly from other men's badness, which is impossible.

Live such that, when your life is at its end, you may look back and recall how many beautiful things you've seen, how many pains you've patiently endured, how many pleasures you've passed by to stay on your path, and how many disagreeable people you've treated kindly.

There's nothing more insufferable than people who boast about their own humility.

Does anything genuinely beautiful need supplementing? No more than justice does—or truth, or kindness, or humility. Are any of those improved by being praised? Or damaged by contempt? Is an emerald suddenly flawed if no one admires it? Or gold, or ivory, or purple? Lyres? Knives? Flowers? Bushes?

Desde el alba hay que decirse con énfasis a uno mismo: me toparé con el entrometido, con el desagradecido, con el soberbio, con el taimado, con el malicioso, el insociable. Todos

to be grieved and displeased with anything that happens in the world, is direct apostacy from the nature of the universe; part of which, all particular natures of the world, are.