Do you know Marcus Aurelius? He is the last of the Five Good Emperors who ruled the Roman Empire between 61 and 180 and served between 96 and 180. Marcus, who received a good education in his childhood, was influenced by the Stoic Philosophy, which Zeno pioneered, which argues that being happy comes from being virtuous.
That is why he is known as one of the best Stoic philosophers. Stoic philosophy was very influential in the decisions he made while ruling the empire. The philosophical work “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius was written during the war in 170-180. The work is a masterpiece that is still highly respected today, affects everyone who reads it, and contains many important thoughts and notes on Stoic philosophy. Here are some of the best quotes from Mark Aurelius’ masterpiece “Meditations”…
1. “When you wake up in the morning, think about what a privilege it is to be alive, to love, to be happy and to think.”
2. “You don’t care what nature has bestowed on you now, worrying about what others will say about you when you die.”
3. “Everything is ephemeral, both the one who remembers and the one who is remembered.”
4. “Don’t talk about how to be a good person, just be one.”
5. “The best way to get revenge is to not look like the person to get revenge.”
6. “Whatever you think often, your mind will become something similar: for it is thoughts that fill the soul.”
7. “Accelerate for what you absolutely want to achieve, banish false hopes, if you are self-interested, come to your own aid while you still can.”
8. “However, happiness is in what is simple. It does not need war, it does not compare, it does not compete, it does not rush, it does not frighten, it does not challenge.”
9.”Don’t take things slow; Don’t be vague in your words, indecisive in your thoughts. Let your soul neither close in on itself nor overflow out every time.
10. “Never glorify those pursuits that will eventually force you to neglect loyalty, to abandon respect, to hate things, to doubt, to curse, to pretend to do something, to desire things that should be left behind walls and curtains, as self-helpful.”
11. “He who enjoys fame seeks his own happiness in the enthusiasm of others; he who enjoys pleasure in his own inclinations; A wise man finds his happiness in his own actions.”
12. “Accelerate for what you absolutely want to achieve, banish false hopes, if you are self-interested, come to your own aid while you still can.”
13. “Don’t care what anyone thinks of you; Let it be enough for you to live the rest of your life, long or short, as your nature wills.
14. “It is inevitable that those who do not follow their own spirit will be miserable.”
15. “Either you live where you are used to, or you go out of your own volition; or you die and your service is completed. There is no other choice. So be brave.”
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