Marcus Aurelius
Even while a thing is in the act of coming into existence, some part of it has already ceased to be.Collection: Existence
An angry look on the face is wholly against nature. If it be assumed frequently, beauty begins to perish, and in the end is quenched beyond rekindling.Collection: Beauty
Take it that you have died today, and your life's story is ended; and henceforward regard what future time may be given you as uncovenanted surplus, and live it out in harmony with nature.Collection: Life
To live each day as though one's last, never flustered, never apathetic, never attitudinizing - here is the perfection of character.Collection: Life
Leave other people's mistakes where they lie.Collection: Mistake
Everything is in a state of metamorphosis. Thou thyself art in everlasting change and in corruption to correspond; so is the whole universe.Collection: Art
Nothing befalls a man except what is in his nature to endure.Collection: Adversity
Time is a kind of river, an irresistible flood sweeping up men and events and carrying them headlong, one after the other, to the great sea of being.Collection: Men
He that dies in extreme old age will be reduced to the same state with him that is cut down untimely.Collection: Cutting
Look deep into the hearts of men, and see what delights and disgusts the wise.Collection: Wise
For outward show is a wonderful perverter of the reason.Collection: Wonderful
The earth loveth the shower," and "the holy æther knoweth what love is." The Universe, too, loves to create whatsoever is destined to be made.Collection: Love Is
Limit time to the present. Meditate upon your last hour.Collection: Time
Constantly regard the universe as one living being, having one substance and one soul; and observe how all things have reference to one perception, the perception of this one living being; and how all things act with one movement; and how all things are the cooperating causes of all things which exist; observe too the continuous spinning of the thread and the contexture of the web.Collection: Soul
What springs from earth dissolves to earth again, and heaven-born things fly to their native seat.Collection: Spring
Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish.Collection: Inspirational
Observe always that everything is the result of a change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing Nature loves so well as to change existing forms and to make new ones like them.Collection: Inspirational
If man reflects on the changes and transformations which follow one another like wave after wave and their rapidity, he will despise everything which is perishable.Collection: Men
Try to live the life of the good man who is more than content with what is allocated to him.Collection: Live Life
Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether any shall note it.... Be satisfied with success in even the smallest matter, and think that even such a result is no trifle.Collection: Life
When the sovereign spirit within us is true to nature, it stands poised and ready to adjust to every change in circumstances and to seize each new opportunity. It doesn't approach an object with prejudice or preconception, but handles each thing dispassionately before embracing it and, if necessary, finds advantage in what opposes it. It is like fire in this regard. Whereas a feeble flame might suffocate under a pile of dry sticks, a robust fire consumes everything it touches. The more objects of any kind heaped on it, the higher it rises, the hotter it burns.Collection: Opportunity
You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.Collection: About Strength
When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.Collection: Good Morning
A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.Collection: Inspirational Entrepreneurship
It is the responsibility of leadership to work intelligently with what is given, and not waste time fantasizing about a world of flawless people and perfect choices.Collection: Responsibility
You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.Collection: Soul
If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance.Collection: Mistake
What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.Collection: Light
If any man can convince me and bring home to me that which I do not think or act aright, gladly will I change; for I search after truth, by which man never yet was harmed. But he is harmed who abideth on still in his deception and ignorance.Collection: Home
When jarred, unavoidably, by circumstance revert at once to yourself and don’t lose the rhythm more than you can help. You’ll have a better grasp of harmony if you keep going back to it.Collection: Adversity
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.Collection: Real
Take it that you have died today, and your life’s story is ended; and henceforward regard what future time may be given you as uncovenanted surplus, and live it out in harmony with nature.Collection: Stories
He does not write at all whose poems no man reads.Collection: Reading
As far as you can, get into the habit of asking yourself in relation to any action taken by another: “What is his point of reference here?” But begin with yourself: examine yourself first.Collection: Firsts