Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change the things which are, and to make new things like them.
~ Marcus Aurelius
Whatever the universal nature assigns to any man at any time is for the good of that man at that time.
Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass also.
Death is a release from the impressions of the senses, and from desires that make us their puppets, and from the vagaries of the mind, and from the hard service of the flesh.
Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.
How much time he saves who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks.
To refrain from imitation is the best revenge.
We ought to do good to others as simply as a horse runs, or a bee makes honey, or a vine bears grapes season after season without thinking of the grapes it has borne.
Here is the rule to remember in the future, When anything tempts you to be bitter: not, 'This is a misfortune' but 'To bear this worthily is good fortune.'
To live happily is an inward power of the soul.
The universe is transformation: life is opinion.
A man's worth is no greater than his ambitions.
Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people's actions, and see what they would be at, as often as it is practicable; and to make this custom the more significant, practice it first upon yourself.
Aptitude found in the understanding and is often inherited. Genius coming from reason and imagination, rarely.
The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.
When thou art above measure angry, bethink thee how momentary is man's life.
Natural ability without education has more often raised a man to glory and virtue than education without natural ability.
He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
Execute every act of thy life as though it were thy last.
Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live.
Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether any shall note it... Be satisfied with success in even the smallest matter, and think that even such a result is no trifle.
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.
Let men see, let them know, a real man, who lives as he was meant to live.
Men exist for the sake of one another.
Anger cannot be dishonest.
Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too.
