The Best Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Life, Love, & Gratitude
These quotes by Marcus Aurelius are simple and yet powerful.
Marcus Aurelius is one of the most famous Roman emperors and the last of the “Five Good Emperors”. He ruled Rome from 161 to 180 and was known for his philosophical writings.
Within his lifetime, Marcus Aurelius acquired a reputation as a “philosopher king.” He was known for his simple wisdom and his stoic philosophy.
You might wonder how the words of an ancient Roman emperor has any relevance on our modern lives, but rest assured, you will note that they are all still very relevant to our modern lives and struggles today.
His words are pragmatic yet eye opening. They encourage a positive approach to life and love, while embracing gratitude and understanding the enormous power of our own thoughts in creating our realities.
Just two of our favorites include:
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
&
“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?”
Best Marcus Aurelius Quotes
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe. Marcus Aurelius
That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees. Marcus Aurelius
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. Marcus Aurelius
The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury. Marcus Aurelius
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one. Marcus Aurelius
Begin – to begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this, and thou wilt have finished. Marcus Aurelius
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. Marcus Aurelius
Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too. Marcus Aurelius
The only wealth which you will keep forever is the wealth you have given away. Marcus Aurelius
Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so. Marcus Aurelius
To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution. Marcus Aurelius
Anger cannot be dishonest. Marcus Aurelius
To refrain from imitation is the best revenge. Marcus Aurelius
Confine yourself to the present. Marcus Aurelius
How much time he saves who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks. Marcus Aurelius
Be content to seem what you really are. Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Love
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. Marcus Aurelius
Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight. Marcus Aurelius
To love only what happens, what was destined. No greater harmony. Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Death
Do every act of your life as if it were your last. Marcus Aurelius
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. Marcus Aurelius
The act of dying is one of the acts of life. Marcus Aurelius
Execute every act of thy life as though it were thy last. Marcus Aurelius
Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else. Marcus Aurelius
It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius Quotes on The Power of Our Thoughts
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. Marcus Aurelius
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. Marcus Aurelius
The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. Marcus Aurelius
Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. Marcus Aurelius
Our life is what our thoughts make it. Marcus Aurelius
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. Marcus Aurelius
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. Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius Quotes on Gratitude
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. Marcus Aurelius
Each day provides its own gifts. Marcus Aurelius
To live happily is an inward power of the soul. Marcus Aurelius
Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it. Marcus Aurelius
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. Marcus Aurelius
Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius was a man of great wisdom. His words are timeless, universal truths that can be applied to any situation in life.
He reminds us there will always be obstacles and difficulties we encounter on our journey through the world, but if you have gratitude for those obstacles then they will no longer seem like hurdles but instead opportunities to grow as humans.
I hope this collection has helped you.
If you’re interested in hearing similar inspiring words and quotes, be sure to check out:
