More Quotes by Marcus Aurelius
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.
The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.
Why should we feel anger at the world? As if the world would notice?
The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.
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.
Imagine you were now dead, or had not lived before his moment. Now view the rest of your life as a bonus.
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?
