Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180) was a Roman emperor, ruling from 161 to 180 A.D., and Stoic philosopher. Marcus was the last of the rulers traditionally known as the “Five Good Emperors.” He is also seen as the last emperor of the “Pax Romana,” an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire. His personal philosophical writings are a significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.
Quotes by Marcus Aurelius…
It is in your power to be free from all compulsions, and to remain in the greatest tranquillity of mind, even if all the world cries out against you as much as it chooses.
Every nature is contented with itself when it goes on its way well, and a rational nature goes on its way well, when in its thoughts it consents to nothing false… and when it is satisfied with everything that is assigned to it by the common nature.
Observe how much more pain is brought on by your anger and frustrations over other’s actions, than by the actions themselves.
Be cheerful, also, and seek not external help, nor the peace which others give. A man must stand straight, and not be kept straight by others.
Confine yourself to the present.
Those who do not observe the movements of their own minds must of necessity be unhappy.
Every instrument and tool, if it does that for which it has been made, is well, and yet he who made it is not there. But in things which are put together by nature, there abides in them the power which made them, therefore, the more correct it is to reverence this power. Think that if you live and act according to its will, everything in you is in harmony with intelligence.
Does anyone do wrong? It is to himself that he does the wrong.
What need is there of fear, since it is in your power to inquire what ought to be done?
It is foolish to be surprised when a fig tree produces figs.
