Quotes from Marcus Aurelius

that it is not men's acts which disturb us, for those acts have their foundation in men's ruling principles, but it is our own opinions which disturb us. Take away these opinions then, and resolve to dismiss thy judgement about an act as if it were something grievous, and thy anger is gone. How then shall I take away these opinions? By reflecting that no wrongful act of another brings shame on thee:

The Roman religion was in fact of the nature of a bargain: men paid certain sacrifices and rites, and the gods granted their favour, irrespective of right or wrong. In

Busyness is no excuse for neglecting our duties to family, friends, and community.

Ten presente en tus asaltos de cólera que no es propia del hombre la irritación, sino la dulzura y el sosiego que, a la vez que humanas, son virtudes más varoniles e infunden al que las posee más fuerza, más nervios y más valor viril que al que se impacienta y maldice.

De beste manier om je op iemand te wreken, is niet te worden zoals hij.

Now say I, if so be that this be both hurtful unto them, and yet unavoidable, would not, thinkest thou, the whole itself be in a sweet case, all the parts of it being subject to alteration, yea and by their making itself fitted for corruption, as consisting of things different and contrary

Not to contemn any friend's expostulation, though unjust, but to strive to reduce him to his former disposition

An angry countenance is much against nature, and it is oftentimes the proper countenance of them that are at the point of death. But were it so, that all anger and passion were so thoroughly quenched in thee, that it were altogether impossible to kindle it any more, yet herein must not thou rest satisfied, but further endeavour by good consequence of true ratiocination, perfectly to conceive and understand, that all anger and passion is against reason.

Whatsoever thou doest hereafter aspire unto, thou mayest even now enjoy and possess, if thou doest not envy thyself thine own happiness.

Acuérdate de esto y de lo siguiente, que de poquísimas cosas depende tener una vida feliz. Y

To my soul: Are you ever going to achieve goodness? Ever going to be simple, whole and naked--as plain to see as the body that contains you?

If any god told thee that thou shalt die to-morrow, or certainly on the day after to-morrow, thou wouldst not care much whether it was on the third day or on the morrow, unless thou wast in the highest degree mean-spirited- for how small is the difference?- So think it no great thing to die after as many years as thou canst name rather than to-morrow.

To holiness, in accepting willingly whatsoever is sent by the Divine Providence

How much trouble he avoids who does not look to see what his neighbour says or does or thinks, but only to what he does himself, that it may be just and pure; or as Agathon says, look not round at the depraved morals of others, but run straight along the line without deviating from it.

no renuncies a ser libre, decente, comunitario, dócil ante dios.

Don't die bitterly, regretful of all the things you haven't yet learned, all the books you haven't yet read. Die serenely and content, with a heart full of gratitude.

We cannot step twice into the same river

Forget the Future

It is no excuse to plead that he knew nothing about the atrocities done in his name: it was his duty to know, and if he did not he would have been the first to confess that he had failed in his duty.

To righteousness, in speaking the truth freely, and without ambiguity; and in doing all things justly and discreetly.

neither have I ever seen mine own soul, and yet I respect and honour it.

Hipócrates[207], tras sanar muchas enfermedades, enfermó él y murió. Los

La perfección del carácter supone que cada día transcurra como el último, sin palpitos, sin cabezadas, sin actuaciones teatrales.

Which thou shalt do; if thou shalt go about every action as thy last action, free from all vanity, all passionate and wilful aberration from reason, and from all hypocrisy, and self-love, and dislike of those things, which by the fates or appointment of God have happened unto thee. Thou