Marcus Aurelius Quotes

I don't want sadness or happiness to affect my life.

In the same degree in which a man's mind is nearer to freedom from all passion, in the same degree also is it nearer to strength.

Those who give way to great anger are like the dead:Those who are free from anger are free from death.

Nothing can steal happiness, peace, away from you: if anyone does make you angry, you are the loser; if someone can allow you to lose peace, you are the loser.

Freedom and happiness are won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.

I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?

When you are exposed to others' negativity, you do not need to respond. You can choose to put your attention elsewhere and let their words be a tiny drop in the infinite ocean of your peaceful silence.

Even when I wasn't playing, I always had a smile on my face because if I acted sad or mad, it wouldn't help me.

Words are just words. They only bother you if you let them.

We must stop feeling fear.

Don't allow yourself to be upset and disturbed. Hold your peace because without it you have no power.

Some models of self-control are able to achieve their serenity easily because the soul fires never burn brightly to begin with.

Let's not allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. Remember "Life is too short to be little".

Name one practical, down-to-earth effect of spirituality," said the skeptic who was ready for an argument. "Here's one," said the Master. "When someone offends you, you can raise your spirits to heights where offenses cannot reach.

Not worrying is a skill. It's a skill not breaking down every single moment.

The secret of joy is the mastery of pain.

You don't have to turn this into something. It doesn't have to upset you. Things can't shape our decisions by themselves.

If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgement of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgement now.

Nothing can take your joy; you have to give it away. You're in complete control of your happiness.

A vital part of the happiness formula is self-discipline. Whoever conquers himself knows deep happiness that fills the heart with joy.

If all it takes is an angry stranger to ruin your day, what are you going to do if something really serious happens? Why give someone else control of your life like that?

My nature is happy. And all I can control is my response to input. If you come around me and tell me bad news all the time, I can say, "You know what? I don't want to hear it." If its just gossip, you know, I can choose not to hear it. And that, in effect, can control my mood.

When you're tempted to be upset, ask yourself 'Is this worth giving up my joy?'

Those who are unconquered in spirit are the real successes in life. If you can so train or condition your mind that you are content regardless of what you have or do not have, and if you can stand the challenge of all your trials and remain calm-that is true happiness.