Marcus Aurelius Quotes

Long ago, I made up my mind that when things were said involving only me, I would pay no attention to them, except when valid criticism was carried by which I could profit.

What I say is the only thing I can control.

I can control what I can control. I just focus on me, and that's it.

Teach your children early not to pass the blame or make excuses, but to take responsibility for their actions.

I think I just have to control what I can control. I can control myself. I can't control anything else but what I do. I definitely know I can do a better job at that.

Tis weak and vicious people who cast the blame on Fate. The right use of Fate is to bring up our conduct to the loftiness of nature.

How can I govern others, who can't even govern myself?

Character isn't something you were born with and can't change, like your fingerprints. It's something you weren't born with and must take responsibility for forming.

Respect for self is the beginning of cultivating virtue in men and women.

You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.

Every minute you are thinking of evil, you might have been thinking of good instead. Refuse to pander to a morbid interest in your own misdeeds. Pick yourself up, be sorry, shake yourself, and go on again.

People can say or think whatever they want... so in my reality, it's kind of irrelevant. I'm always the kind of person that does the right thing and keeps my side of the street clean.

At the end of the day, you're responsible for yourself and your actions and that's all you can control. So rather than be frustrated with what you can't control, try to fix the things you can.

I'm my own harshest critic but I'm also master of my own destiny.

I commit to the controllables. That's one of the things I live by.

I can't worry about external factors, I have to focus on myself.

I can't control what people say, but I can control what I do.

That is life: you have to deal with things, and it's up to you how you deal with things. That's what makes you mature or not. If you can get the best out of yourself, that's all that matters. If you do that, nobody is arguing.

What we can do is control what we can control.

I think if something's wrong with me, I just kind of work through it. That's my mentality.

I've learned during my life that if I am in hell, I make my own glory. I've also been in glory, and perhaps I've made my own hell, but I certainly don't take anyone down with me.

I only focus on what I can do.

I just control what I control.

Never complain of that of which it is at all times in your power to rid yourself.

Whatever task you undertake, do it with all your heart and soul. Always be courteous, never be discouraged. Beware of him who promises something for nothing. Do not blame anybody for your mistakes and failures. Do not look for approval except the consciousness of doing your best.