Marcus Aurelius Quotes from Meditations

In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present,—I am rising to the work of a human being.

No longer talk at all about the kind of man that a good man ought to be, but be such.

If it is not right, do not do it: if it is not true, do not say it.

Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.

To recover thy life is in thy power.

Let not future things disturb thee, for thou wilt come to them, if it shall be necessary, having with thee the same reason which now thou usest for present things.

For we are made for co-operation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of the upper and lower teeth.

Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then, or bear with them.

He who does wrong does wrong against himself.

Confine thyself to the present.

Do not disturb thyself by thinking of the whole of thy life.

Give thyself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around.

Since it is possible that thou mayest depart from life this very moment, regulate every act and thought accordingly.

Do not despise death, but be well content with it, since this too is one of those things which nature wills.

Consider thyself to be dead, and to have completed thy life up to the present time; and live according to nature the remainder which is allowed thee.

Receive [wealth or prosperity] without arrogance; and be ready to let it go.

Love that only which happens to thee and is spun with the thread of thy destiny.

It is in our power to have no opinion about a thing, and not to be disturbed in our soul; for things themselves have no natural power to form our judgments.