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Marcus Aurelius quotes, with sources

Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher whose private notes were collected as Meditations. Here are 21 short quotes by Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE), each with the work it comes from, drawn from 21 sources.

The best way of avenging thyself is not to become like [the wrong-doer].

Meditations, Book VI.6 (tr. George Long, 1862)

Confine thyself to the present.

Meditations, Book VII, 29

Loss is nothing else than change.

Meditations, Book IX, 35

To recover thy life is in thy power.

Meditations, Book VII, 2

Men exist for the sake of one another.

Meditations, Book VIII, 59

While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.

Meditations, Book IV, 17

All things are change, yet we need not fear anything new.

Meditations, Book VIII, 6

Do not disturb thyself by thinking of the whole of thy life.

Meditations, Book VIII, 36

Suppose any man shall despise me. Let him look to that himself.

Meditations, Book XI, 13

Consider that everything is opinion, and opinion is in thy power.

Meditations, Book XII, 22

Nothing happens to any man which he is not formed by nature to bear.

Meditations, Book V, 18

Is any man afraid of change? Why, what can take place without change?

Meditations, Book VII, 18

That which is not good for the swarm, neither is it good for the bee.

Meditations, Book VI, 54

No longer talk at all about the kind of man that a good man ought to be, but be such.

Meditations, Book X, 16

Make thyself all simplicity.

Meditations, Book IV, 26

He who does wrong does wrong against himself.

Meditations, Book IX, 4

It is peculiar to man to love even those who do wrong.

Meditations, Book VII, 22

First, do nothing inconsiderately, nor without a purpose.

Meditations, Book XII, 20

Have I done something for the general interest? Well then, I have had my reward.

Meditations, Book XI, 4

Love that only which happens to thee and is spun with the thread of thy destiny.

Meditations, Book VII, 57

Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.

Meditations, Book VII, 59

Sources

Themes

Stoicism Calm Change Purpose Wisdom Focus Hope Connection Resilience Growth Love

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