Following are some of my favorite passages in the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180). This Roman emperor and Stoic has caught the attention of many, especially in the context of resiliency training.
- “Not to become a Green or Blue supporter at the races [referring to the chariot races], or side with the Lights or Heavies in the amphitheater [referring to gladiators]; to tolerate pain and feel few needs; to work with my own hands and mind my own business; to be deaf to malicious gossip.” 1.5
- “It is high time now for you to understand the universe of which you are part… and that there is a limited circumscribed to your time – if you do not use it to clear away your clouds, it will be gone, and you will be gone, and the opportunity will not return.” 2.4
- “In man’s life his time is a mere instant, his existence a flux, his perception fogged, who whole bodily composition rotting, his mind a whirligig, his fortune unpredictable, his fame unclear. To put it shortly: all things of the body stream away like a river, all things of the mind are dreams and deliion; life is warfare, and a visit in a strange land; the only lasting fame is oblivion. What then can escort us on our way? One thing, and one thing only: philosophy.” 2.17.1-2
- “So we must have a sense of urgency, not only for the ever closer approach of death, but also because our comprehension of the world and our ability to pay proper attention will fade before we do.” 3.1
- “Look at the speed of universal oblivion, the gulf of immeasurable time both before and after, the vacuity of applause, the indiscriminate fickleness of your apparent supporters, the tiny room in which all this is confined. The whole earth is a mere point in space: what a minute cranny within this is your habitation…” 4.3
- “Things cannot touch the mind: they are external and inert; anxieties can only come from your internal judgment.” 4.4
- “No, you do not have thousands of years to live. Urgency is on you. While you live, while you can, become good.” 4.17
- “One who is all in a flutter over his subsequent fame fails to imagine that all those who remember him will very soon be dead—and he too.” 4.19
- “Most of what we say and do us unnecessary: remove the superfluity, and you will have more time and less bother…” 4.24
- “Display those virtues which are wholly in your own power—integrity, dignity, hard work, self-denial, contentment, frugality, kindness, independence, simplicity, discretion, magnanimity.” 5.5
- “Vanity is the greatest seducer of reason: when you are most convinced that your work is important, that is when you are most under its spell.” 6.13
- “The praise of the masses is the mere rattle of tongues.” 6.16
- “Fit yourself for the matters which have fallen to your lot, and love these people among whom destiny has cast you—but your love must be genuine.” 6.39
- “In this world there is only one thing of value, to live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just.” 6.47
- “The empty pomp of a procession, plays on a stage, flocks and herds, jousting shows, a bone thrown to puppies, tit-bits into the fishponds, ants toiling and carrying, the scurries of frightened mice, puppets dancing on their strings. Well, amid all this you must keep yourself tolerant—do not snort at them. But bear in mind that a person’s worth is measured by the worth of what he values.” 7.3
- “In conversation one ought to follow closely what is said, in any impulse to follow closely what takes place. In the latter case, to see immediately the intended object of reference: in the former, to watch carefully what is meant.” 7.4
- “Soon you will have forgotten all things: soon all things will have forgotten you.” 7.21
“When someone does you some wrong, you should consider immediately what judgment of good or evil led him to wrong you. When you see this, you will pity him, and not feel surprise or anger...” 7.26- [A saying of Epicurus] “’Pain is neither unendurable nor unending, as long as you remember its limits and do not exaggerate it in your imagination.’” 7.64
- “Live through your life without pressure and in the utmost contentment…” 7.68
- “… Abandon any concern for reputation…” 8.1
- “When you speak in the senate or to any individual, be straightforward, not pedantic. Use language which rings true.” 8.30
- “Accept humbly: let go easily.” 8.33
- “Do not be dilatory in action, muddled in communication, or vague in thought. Don’t let your mind settle into depression or elation. Allow some leisure in your life.” 8.51
- “… What do you think of the man who fears or courts the applause of an audience who have no idea where they are or who they are?” 8.52
- “Wickedness does no harm to the recipient: it is only harmful to the perpetrator.” 8.55
- “Men are born for the sake of each other. So either teach or tolerate.” 8.59
- “… The pursuit of pleasure as a good and the avoidance of pain as an evil constitutes sin.” 9.3
- “Work. Don’t work as a miserable drudge, or in any expectation of pity or admiration. One aim only: action or inaction as civic cause demands.” 9.12
- “All the happens is an event either within your natural ability to bear it, or not. So if it is an event within that ability, do not complain, but bear it was you were born to. If outside that ability, do not complain either…” 10.3
- “No more roundabout discussion of what makes a good man. Be one!” 10.16
- “Always have clear in your mind that ‘the grass in not greener’ elsewhere…” 10.23
- “A man of forty with any understanding whatsoever has in a sense seen all the past and all the future.” 11.2
- "Someone despise me? That is his concern. But I will see to it that I am not found guilty of any word or action deserving contempt. Will he hate me? That is his concern. But I will be kind and well-intentioned to all, and ready to show this very person what he is failing to see—not in any criticism or display of tolerance, but with genuine good will…” 11.13
- “The rotten pretense of the man who says, ‘I prefer to be honest with you!’ What are you on about, man? No need for this preface… Calculated honesty is a stiletto. There is nothing more degrading than the friendship of wolves; avoid that above all. The good, honest, kindly man has it in his eyes, and you cannot mistake him.” 11.15
- “Generally one needs to know a great deal before one can pronounce with certainty on another’s actions.” 11.18.5
- “… There is nothing manly in being angry, but a gentle calm is both more human and therefore more virile. It is the gentle who have strength, sinew, and courage — not the indignant and complaining. The closer to the control of emotion, the closer to power. Anger is as much a sign of weakness as is pain.” 11.18.10
- “‘No thief can steal your will’—so Epictetus. 11.18.36“Practice even what you have despaired of mastering. For lack of practice the left hand is awkward for most tasks, but has a stronger grip on the bridle than the right—it is practiced in this.” 12.6
- “If it is not right, don’t do it: if it is not true, don’t say it.” 12.17
