More Quotes by Marcus Aurelius
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.
Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.
There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.
Give yourself a gift: the present moment.
The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.
The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.
If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. It is in your power to erase this judgment about it. If anything in your own nature gives you pain, you are who hinders you from correcting your opinion.
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
Think of all the years passed by in which you said to yourself "I'll do it tomorrow," and how the gods have again and again granted you periods of grace of which you have not availed yourself. It is time to realize that you are a member of the Universe, that you are born of Nature itself, and to know that a limit has been set to your time. Use every moment wisely, to perceive your inner refulgence, or 'twill be gone and nevermore within your reach.
Life is short. Do not forget about the most important things in our life, living for other people and doing good for them.
