Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Stoicism

Who was Marcus Aurelius?

Stoicism, advocated by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, emphasizes calm, clear-headed reasoning in the face of emotional and physical upheaval.

Marcus Aurelius’ ideas?

He thought that people do horrible things out of ignorance of good and evil and that we should forgive them even when they hurt us. Marcus emphasises that humans are social animals and should live peacefully.

Emperor Hadrian noticed his seriousness and hard labor. After his first choice died, Hadrian chose Titus Aurelius Antoninus (later Emperor Pius Antonius) as his successor.

Hadrian also had Antoninus adopt Marcus Aurelius and his successor’s son. At 17, Marcus Aurelius became Antoninus’ son. Working with his adopted father, he learned government and public affairs.

Entry into politics

Marcus Aurelius became consul, or senate leader, twice again in 140. His responsibilities and formal powers increased with time, becoming him a major support and advisor for Antoninus. Marcus Aurelius studied philosophy and law.

Along with his successful job, Marcus Aurelius seemed happy in his personal life. He married emperor’s daughter Faustina in 145. Their children were many, although some died young. Their daughter Lucilla and son Commodus are famous.

Challenges to His Authority

He was challenged for his post again in 175. Avidius Cassius claimed emperor after hearing Marcus Aurelius was dying. Marcus Aurelius had to go East to reclaim authority.

He was killed by his men, so he never had to fight Cassius. Marcus Aurelius reestablished his power by touring eastern provinces with his wife. Unfortunately, Faustina perished on this trip.

Marcus Aurelius made his son Commodus co-ruler in 177 while fighting German tribes. They fought the empire’s northern opponents.

Marcus Aurelius planned to expand the empire’s borders through this struggle, but he died before completing this objective.

Marcus Aurelius died March 17, 180. His son Commodus became emperor and ceased northern military attempts. Marcus Aurelius is recognized for his contemplation and reasoned reign, not his conflicts. He published his thoughts in The Meditations. The work contains his life notes based on Stoicism.

Marcus Aurelius Quotes

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius

• If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it. – Marcus Aurelius
• The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it. – Marcus Aurelius
• The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing. – Marcus Aurelius
• Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one. – Marcus Aurelius
• You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. – Marcus Aurelius
• The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury. – Marcus Aurelius
• The obstacle is the way. – Marcus Aurelius
• Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. – Marcus Aurelius
• Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. – Marcus Aurelius
• Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. – Marcus Aurelius
• The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius
• Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life. – Marcus Aurelius
• It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. – Marcus Aurelius
• To live happily is an inward power of the soul. – Marcus Aurelius
• The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius
• He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe. – Marcus Aurelius
• Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. – Marcus Aurelius
• Do every act of your life as if it were your last. – Marcus Aurelius
• The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. – Marcus Aurelius
• The true worth of a man is to be measured by the objects he pursues. – Marcus Aurelius
• 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. – Marcus Aurelius
• Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what’s left and live it properly. – Marcus Aurelius
• The greatest wealth is to live content with little. – Marcus Aurelius
• A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions. – Marcus Aurelius
• He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. – Marcus Aurelius
• Let not your mind run on what you lack as much as on what you have already. – Marcus Aurelius
• The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. – Marcus Aurelius
• Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil. – Marcus Aurelius
• Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. – Marcus Aurelius
• What we do now echoes in eternity. – Marcus Aurelius
• If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone. – Marcus Aurelius
• Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it. – Marcus Aurelius
• The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the full light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become. – Marcus Aurelius
• You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. – Marcus Aurelius

 

 

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