Marcus Aurelius Quotes

The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it.

To live a life of virtue, you have to become consistent, even when it isn't convenient, comfortable, or easy.

A man should be upright, not be kept upright.

Even in decline, a virtuous man increases the beauty of his behavior. A burning stick, though turned to the ground, has its flame drawn upwards.

A good man does not spy around for the black spots in others, but presses unswervingly on towards his mark.

Character is the basis of happiness and happiness the sanction of character.

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

Virtue is a positive quality developed by taking a firm stand for the right in temptation, or by the suffering endured in consequence of wrongdoing.

Power is not alluring to pure minds.

A man's character is his guardian divinity.

Moral character has now some influence in our elections, but not that place which it deserves. The law of public opinion excludes confirmed sots, and persons judicially convicted of high crimes and misdemeanors against the State; but it ought to render the election of all profane swearers, notorious Sabbath breakers, seducers, slanderers, prodigals and riotous persons, as well as the advocates of dueling, impracticable.

I try to act as a man of character if no one is watching or if the world is watching.

We should make virtue our master, not our servant.

You don't luck into integrity. You work at it.

Character is in turn the enduring source of virtue. It stands by itself and excites admiration in others. It is not obedience to authority, and while it is often consistent with and reinforced by religious belief, it is not piety.

A big part of honesty is self-discipline, personal resolve, and taking pride in who you are as a person and what each action means to your character.

It is more difficult to be an honorable man for a week than to be a hero for fifteen minutes.

Virtue shuns ease as a companion. It demands a rough and thorny path.

None deserve praise for being good who have not the spirit to be bad: goodness, for the most part, is nothing but indolence or weakness of will.

Without virtue, happiness cannot be.

Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece - by thought, choice, courage, and determination.

A lady could not boast of her chastity who was never tempted.

No cowardice, no sin, no crime, no weakness - the rest will come of itself. . .

Honesty: The ability to resist small temptations.