Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180 AD) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 161 until his death in 180 AD. He is widely regarded as one of the most important Stoic philosophers, as well as a key figure in Roman history.
Born into an aristocratic family in Rome, Marcus Aurelius was trained in Stoic philosophy from a young age. He was adopted by the reigning emperor Antoninus Pius and succeeded him in 161 AD. During his reign, Marcus Aurelius led the Roman Empire through a period of military conflict, including wars against Germanic tribes in the north and a campaign against Parthia in the east.
Despite his duties as emperor, Marcus Aurelius remained committed to his philosophical principles. He is best known for his book “Meditations”, which is essentially a personal diary in which he reflects on various topics such as ethics, human nature, and the meaning of life. The book was not intended for publication, but has since become a classic work of Stoic philosophy.
Marcus Aurelius was a firm believer in the idea that a leader should lead by example, and he sought to embody this principle in his own life. He was known for his modest lifestyle, self-discipline, and dedication to public service.
Marcus Aurelius died in 180 AD, while on a military campaign in the east. His reign is remembered as a period of relative stability and prosperity for the Roman Empire, and his legacy as a philosopher and statesman continues to be celebrated to this day.
Marcus Aurelius had a lot to say about human nature and how to live a good life. In his book “Meditations”, he reflects on various topics related to ethics, personal growth, and the nature of reality. Here are some of his key ideas:
- Human beings are rational creatures: Marcus Aurelius believed that humans are unique in their ability to reason and make decisions based on logic and rationality. He saw reason as a powerful tool for understanding the world and making wise choices.
- We are all connected: Marcus Aurelius recognized that human beings are part of a larger whole and that everything is interconnected. He believed that we should strive to live in harmony with the world around us and to recognize our place within it.
- Life is short: Marcus Aurelius understood that life is brief and that we should make the most of the time we have. He encouraged people to live in the present moment and to focus on what is truly important.
- Virtue is the key to a good life: Marcus Aurelius believed that the most important thing in life is to cultivate virtue. He saw virtue as the foundation of a good life, and encouraged people to strive for wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control.
- Adversity can be a teacher: Marcus Aurelius believed that challenges and difficulties are an inevitable part of life, and that we should embrace them as opportunities for growth and learning. He saw adversity as a teacher that can help us develop strength and resilience.
- We should be mindful of our thoughts: Marcus Aurelius believed that our thoughts have a powerful influence on our lives. He encouraged people to be mindful of their thinking and to cultivate positive, constructive thoughts that will lead to a better life.
Quotes
Sure, here are 20 of Marcus Aurelius’ best quotes along with the corresponding citations:
- “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” – Meditations, Book 2, 1
- “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” – Meditations, Book 7, 61
- “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” – Meditations, Book 10, 16
- “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Meditations, Book 7, 67
- “What we do now echoes in eternity.” – Meditations, Book 9, 5
- “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” – Meditations, Book 4, 3
- “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” – Meditations, Book 7, 67
- “Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.” – Meditations, Book 6, 30
- “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.” – Meditations, Book 8, 49
- “Do not waste time on what you cannot control.” – Meditations, Book 8, 32
- “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” – Meditations, Book 6, 58
- “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.” – Meditations, Book 6, 6
- “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” – Meditations, Book 5, 20
- “If it is not right, do not do it. If it is not true, do not say it.” – Meditations, Book 9, 5
- “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” – Meditations, Book 5, 16
- “The present moment is all we have, and it is perfect just as it is.” – Meditations, Book 4, 3
- “We are all working together to one end, some with knowledge and design, and others without knowing what they are about.” – Meditations, Book 2, 7
- “The mind in itself has no needs, except for those it creates itself.” – Meditations, Book 7, 28
- “Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.” – Meditations, Book 4, 7
- “To live happily is an inward power of the soul.” – Meditations, Book 6, 30
here’s a version ala Britannica:
Marcus Aurelius, an influential philosopher and emperor of the Roman Empire, is widely recognized for his Stoic teachings, which he employed in his own life. Here are several factual examples of how he put some of his most celebrated quotes into practice:
1. “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” This quote exemplifies the Stoic belief that individuals should focus on what they can control and let go of what they cannot. Aurelius applied this principle as an emperor by prioritizing the welfare of his subjects and his own character over external events. He often led his troops on military campaigns, demonstrating his commitment to leading by example.
2. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” Aurelius believed that happiness was not tied to external circumstances but rather to one’s own perspective. He put this principle into action by practicing self-reflection and introspection, continually examining his thoughts and beliefs to ensure that they aligned with his Stoic values.
3. “The obstacle is the way.” This quote underscores the Stoic belief that challenges and adversity can present opportunities for growth and learning. During his reign, Aurelius faced a range of challenges such as wars, rebellions, and economic instability. Rather than viewing these obstacles as setbacks, he perceived them as opportunities to fortify his character and leadership skills.
4. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” This quote emphasizes the importance of questioning one’s assumptions and biases. Aurelius implemented this principle by actively seeking out diverse perspectives and opinions, even from those who opposed him. He also encouraged critical thinking among his advisors and colleagues, promoting an environment of intellectual curiosity and debate.
5. “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” This quote highlights the significance of leading by example and practicing what one preaches. Aurelius exemplified this principle by embodying the virtues he espoused in his Stoic philosophy, such as humility, self-control, and wisdom. He was renowned for his moral character and integrity, serving as a role model for others to follow.
here’s a version ala Oxford:
Marcus Aurelius, one of history’s most revered philosophers and leaders, is renowned for his Stoic teachings which he actively implemented throughout his life. Below are several factual examples that demonstrate how Aurelius applied some of his most celebrated quotes to his own life:
1. “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” This quote exemplifies the Stoic belief of focusing on what one can control, and relinquishing concern over what one cannot. Aurelius applied this principle in his role as emperor by placing the well-being of his subjects and his own character above external events. Notably, he led his troops on military campaigns, and even slept in the same conditions and ate the same food as his soldiers, thus exemplifying his commitment to leading by example.
2. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” Aurelius believed that happiness was dependent not on external circumstances but rather on the way in which one chose to perceive them. In his personal life, he upheld this principle by undertaking regular self-reflection and introspection to ensure that his thoughts and beliefs aligned with his Stoic values.
3. “The obstacle is the way.” This quote emphasizes the Stoic belief that challenges and adversity can present opportunities for growth and learning. During his reign, Aurelius faced a range of challenges such as wars, rebellions, and economic instability. Instead of viewing these obstacles as setbacks, he saw them as opportunities to fortify his character and leadership abilities.
4. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” This quote underscores the importance of questioning one’s assumptions and biases. Aurelius lived by this principle by actively seeking out divergent perspectives and opinions, even from those who opposed him. Additionally, he fostered an environment of intellectual curiosity and debate by encouraging critical thinking amongst his advisors and colleagues.
5. “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” This quote highlights the significance of leading by example and practicing what one preaches. Aurelius applied this principle by embodying the virtues he expounded in his Stoic philosophy, such as humility, self-control, and wisdom. Known for his moral character and integrity, Aurelius served as an inspiration to others to follow in his footsteps.