Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize? Do you have reason? Most things in life are outside the reach of your control, you have no say in how they will transpire. You have power over your mind not outside events. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are. Leave the situation, change the situation or accept it. Flavia Medrut is a freelance writer, researcher and part-time psychologist. Epictetus points out an important rule for life; we can't always decide what happens to us, but we can always decide how we respond. Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself. Im not a perfectionist, but I like to feel that things are done well. Elvis Presley, 32. Meditations: A New Translation, p.162, Modern Library, Marcus Aurelius (2002). When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. The power to love, then, belongs only to the wise man. He finished his software engineering degree in 2007 at the cole de Technologie Suprieure de Montral. However Epictetus points out that reading and discussion are only part of the puzzle. The universal order and the personal order are nothing but different expressions and manifestations of a common underlying principle. These things are anchors that hold you to the past and drag you down into the waters of your misery. You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C.S. Welcome back. When you have a strong sense of purpose, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve anything you set your mind to. Joel Brown, 9. Arent they the same people you are in the habit of calling crazy? It means a lot of things: be responsible, accept life as it is, be strong, never give up, etc. To obstruct each other is unnatural. Take away then, when you choose, your opinion, and like a mariner who has rounded the headland, you will find calm, everything stable, and a waveless bay. To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution. I hope youll enjoy his quotes as much as I did. Keep going. Sam Levenson, 27. Six years ago my world caved in on me when I discovered I had leukemia. How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life. Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Inspired by this, I collected the top 150 Marcus Aurelius quotes. Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts. Dont let outward appearances mislead you into thinking that someone with more prestige, power or some other distinction must on that account be happy. These quotes are those little reminders we all need every now and then and some are powerful enough to inspire us for the whole week. Whatever man you meet with, immediately say to yourself: What opinions has this man about good and bad?. Though he ruled as Emperor of Rome nearly 2,000 years ago, his wisdom continues to have a positive influence on many today. Build resilience with these 10 Stoic quotes from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, and other Stoic philosophers. He who has a vehement desire for posthumous fame does not consider that every one of those who remember him will himself also die very soon. Stand erect or be made to stand erect'. Below are a few of his aphorisms I read through this week which I believe speak toward building a virtue of resilience: In this world there is only one thing of value, to live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just. If you choose buy through links on this page, we may earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. The Resilience Reading List: 10 Books That Will Inspire You To Carry On (, Joel Brown (Founder of Addicted2Success.com). And if you've been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? Live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just. Whatever happens to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time. Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look. It loses nothing by coming down, gained nothing by going up. No one can implicate me in ugliness. When we realise this, we are able to accept the world around us for what it is, and take responsibility for how we respond to it. Im just an entertainer Elvis Presley, 25. quote is Stresses from outside forces can penetrate our thick skin and sap us of the vital energy needed to see the beauty in the world. To live happily is an inward power of the soul. Related: The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living (Amazon book). Books, blogs, quotes and nature became his guide. Your purpose is to live the life that is right for you, not the life that others expect of you. Kobe Bryant, 45. If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Your purpose in life is to use your unique gifts and talents to make a positive impact on the world around you. Sir Ken Robinson, 9. Your purpose is not just about what you do, its about who you are and what you stand for. Joel Brown, 10. Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Marcus Aurelius wrote most of his aphorisms as a personal journal after the age of thirty-nine, during his reign as Emperor. Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you. Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, 65. When you find your purpose, everything else falls into place. Frida, 37. No, you should rather say: 'It is my good luck that, although this has happened to me, I can bear it without pain, neither crushed by the present nor fearful of the future.' Today I escaped from the crush of circumstances, or better put, I threw them out, for the crush wasnt from outside me but in my own assumptions. In a word, if there is a god, all is well; and if chance rules, do not also be governed by it. How long will you wait before you demand the best of yourself, and trust reason to determine what is best? Be one. Realize this, and you will find strength. . Funny And though family and friends tell you to stay strong because time heals all wounds, you find just surviving today the greatest struggle of all. It's the truth I'm after, and the truth never harmed anyone. Your purpose in life is to find your voice and give it a voice. Stephen Covey, 34. As with all matters of the heart, youll know when you find it. Steve Jobs, 4. This week has left me seeking solitude, wishing for a place away from what sometimes seems an unjust world. Marcus Aurelius Quotes That ARE " "Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself." Seneca Time. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it. The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it. Marcus Aurelius, To love only what happens, what was destined. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. Its time you realized that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet. The universe is change. So I look for the best and am prepared for the opposite. The purpose of life is to be a light to others, to show them the way, and to help them find their own path. Unknown, 25. Your purpose in life is to find your own path, and to follow it, no matter what anyone else says. Unknown, 36. The purpose of life is to create, to give, to love, and to leave a legacy. Unknown, 43. Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. Consider that before long you will be nobody and nowhere, nor will any of the things exist that you now see, nor any of those who are now living. You can find him on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube. The second step: Concentrate on what you have to do. I want to take my audience on a journey through my songs. Elvis Presley, 38. When jarred, unavoidably, by circumstance, revert at once to yourself and dont lose the rhythm more than you can help. He looks at one meditation in particular (3.11) which draws on all of these key aspects of Stoic thought. People with a strong physical constitution can tolerate extremes of hot and cold; people of strong mental health can handle anger, grief, joy and the other emotions. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature. Do not be wise in words - be wise in deeds. True good fortune is what you make for yourself. Can we find something positive in it? The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. Im always learning and growing as an artist. Elvis Presley, 41. In the morning, when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present: I am rising to the work of a human being. Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. I read this quote on a psych site as I was unable to sleep last night. The Best Marcus Aurelius Quotes Go to table of contents The first step: Don't be anxious. We can actually use them in our life. "Meditations". Meditations, p.116, Lulu.com, Marcus Aurelius (2002). It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 31. So, believe that you can do this. Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. No man can escape his destiny, the next inquiry being how he may best live the time that he has to live. Here are a couple addition entries that speak to connection and Nature: You should meditate often on the connection of all things in the universe and their relationship to each other. With humility. Let each thing you would do, say, or intend, be like that of a dying person. 1. Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so. If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. These quotes provide wisdom and insight into the importance of purpose and how to pursue it. I hope these nuggets of wisdom have infused you with as much clarity, fire, and courage as they did me. This idea links back to Epictetus Dichotomy of Control. A persons worth is measured by the worth of what he values. Two are yours in trust; to the third alone you have clear title. It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. Marcus Aurelius, Stick to whats in front of you idea, action, utterance. Dwell on the beauty of life. Finding your purpose can be a challenging and daunting task, but its a crucial step towards living a fulfilling life. There is a massive wealth of practical knowledge hidden in the pages of books, papers, and essays. When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, tolove. The best answer to anger is silence. He often writes about characteristics, and habits, of the resilient in his compilation of meditations. Marcus Aurelius, If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective? When you have assumed these names good, modest, truthful, rational, a man of equanimity, and magnanimous take care that you do not change these names; and if you should lose them, quickly return to them. It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinions than our own. Im not in the music business for the fame or the money, Im in it because I love it. Elvis Presley, 37. Marcus Aurelius Wise, Deeds, Being Wise 51 Copy quote You always own the option of having no opinion. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it. The traffic itself is not good or bad, its just a line of cars. A man's worth is no greater than his ambitions. He also studied at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 10 Stoic Quotes On Resilience and Hardship. All you can do is decide how you respond to them. And, unknowingly at the time, inspirational quotes turned into one of the building blocks in my resilience foundation. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. He also explores his thoughts on our connection with one another and Nature. Theres been COVID, wars, mass layoffs, and depression is at an all time high. Think of yourself as dead. For all things are formed by nature to change and be turned and to perish in order that other things in continuous succession may exist. Your purpose in life is to create a life that you love, and to share that love with others. Unknown, 48. Without fear, we have more room for understanding and compassion. Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us. You have power over your mind - not outside events. The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. the image is one thing and the human being is anotherits very hard to live up to an image. Elvis Presley, 44. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - Quotes 8 #shorts "You could leave life right now. Everything else is outside the reach of our control. Thats all there is to say. When you have a strong enough why, you can tolerate any how. Tony Robbins, 68. Indeed, it was Marcus Aurelius who first suggested we could brainwash ourselves through repetition. 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