Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (/ɔːˈriːliəs/;[1] 26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors (a term coined some 13 centuries later by Niccolò Machiavelli), and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire. He served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161.
The Column and Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius still stand in Rome, where they were erected in celebration of his military victories. Meditations, the writings of "the philosopher" – as contemporary biographers called Marcus, are a significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy. They have been praised by fellow writers, philosophers, monarchs, and politicians centuries after his death.
Quotes:
- “Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?”
- “How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.”
- “You shouldn’t give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don’t care at all.”
- “Though you break your heart, men will go on as before.”
- “The best answer to anger is silence.”
- “If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective?”
- “A rock is thrown in the air. It loses nothing by coming down, gained nothing by going up.”
- “When another blames you or hates you, or people voice similar criticisms, go to their souls, penetrate inside and see what sort of people they are. You will realize that there is no need to be racked with anxiety that they should hold any particular opinion about you.”
- “Only attend to yourself, and resolve to be a good man in every act that you do.”
- “Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.”
- “To live the good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.”
- “Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.”
- Whatever any one does or says, I must be good; just as if the emerald were always saying this: "Whatever any one does or says, I must still be emerald, and keep my color.”
- “The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.”
- “Don’t go on discussing what a good person should be. Just be one.”
100+ Best Quotes of Marcus Aurelius:
part 1 of 6: Live your Life to the Fullest
part 2 of 6: Motivation
part 3 of 6: Love and Happiness
part 4 of 6: Controlling your anger and have a good life
part 5 of 6: Life Lessons
part 6 of 6: Inspirational
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