Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180)

Quotes

• The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.

• How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.

• Whatever is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised.

• In the morning, when you are sluggish about getting up, let this thought be present: 'I am rising to a man's work.'

• Nothing happens to anybody which he is not fitted by nature to bear.

• Very little is needed to make a happy life.

• Think not disdainfully of death, but look on it with favor; for even death is one of the things that Nature wills.

• The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

• It is the act of a madman to pursue impossibilities.

• The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts, therefore guard accordingly; and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue, and reasonable nature.

• Remember this-that there is a proper dignity and proportion to be observed in the performance of every act of life.

• Nothing happens to any thing which that thing is not made by nature to bear.

• It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.