Marcus Aurelius Quotes

From Apollonius I learned freedom of will and undeviating steadiness of purpose; and to look to nothing else, not even for a moment, except to reason.

It is not by spectacular achievements that man can be transformed, but by will.

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.

Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mold and chisel and complete a character.

Make the wise man within you your living ideal.

Men need knowledge in order to overpower their passions and master their prejudices.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

In our world everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself.

Force yourself to be humble, until it becomes second nature. Then it will be an unconscious activity.

There is no greater valor nor no sterner fight. He who would be what he ought to be must stop being what he is.

When we are foolish, we want to conquer the world. When we are wise, we want to conquer ourselves. That begins when we do what we should no matter how we feel about it.

What matter and opportunity [for thy activity] art thou avoiding? For what else are all these things, except exercises for the reason, when it has viewed carefully and by examination into their nature the things which happen in life? Persevere then until thou shalt have made these things thy own, as the stomach which is strengthened makes all things its own, as the blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.

Even those who have the weakest souls could acquire absolute mastery over all their passions if we employed sufficient ingenuity in training and guiding them.

If you grow yourself to become a successful person, in strength of character and mind, you will naturally be successful in anything and everything you do.

To be successful, you have to develop certain traits such as courage, dignity, charisma and integrity. You also have to recognize that you have to work harder on yourself than on your job. You attract success because of the person you are. Personal development is key.

He who knows much about others may be learned, but he who understands himself is more intelligent. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

To know people is wisdom, but to know yourself is enlightenment. to master people takes force, but to master yourself takes strength. to know contentment is wealth, and to live with strength resolve. to never leave whatever you are is to abide, and to die without getting lost- that is to live on and on.

In this state one enriches everything out of one's own fullness: whatever one sees, whatever wills is seen swelled, taut, strong, overloaded with strength. A man in this state transforms things until they mirror his power—until they are reflections of his perfection. This having to transform into perfection is—art.

Changing your nature is the hardest thing to do. But I discovered that you can be who you choose to be.

Every complete man has his genius. True virtue is genius.

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.

The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.

Victory in physical battles requires strength, muscles, and skill; but the fight is never tougher and victory is never sweeter than in the battles over self.

The greatest happiness is to transform one's feelings into action.

The discipline of desire is the background of character.