1,166 Quotes by Marcus Aurelius

In death, Alexander of Macedon’s end differed no whit from his stable-boy’s. Either both were received into the same generative principle of the universe, or both alike were dispersed into atoms.

The offender needs pity, not wrath; those who must needs be corrected, should be treated with tact and gentleness; and one must be always ready to learn better. ‘The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.’

Failing to understand the workings of one’s own mind is bound to lead to unhappiness.

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

This is the mark of a perfect character – to pass through each day as though it were the last, without agitation, without torpor, and without pretense.

Nothing that goes on in anyone else’s mind can harm you.

Begin – to begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this, and thou wilt have finished.

Past and future have no power over you. Just the present – and even that can be minimized.

Regain your senses, call yourself back, and once again wake up. Now that you realize that only dreams were troubling you, view this ‘reality’ as you view your dreams.