Quote

A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than himself and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The one produces aspiration the other ambition, which is the way in which a vulgar man aspires.

Marcus Aurelius

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Marcus Aurelius
Philosopher
Politician
Roman Emperor
Writer
The Eternal City
Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius
Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Marcus Annius Verus
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Inspirational
Aspiration
Ideas
Lower
Self
Compare
Estimates
Mean
Noble
Compares
Way
Ambition
Aspires
Men
Produce
Vulgar
Higher
Aspire
Idea
Produces

More quotes by Marcus Aurelius

Image
Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light or look the world in the face.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? What is its nature?
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Nothing proceeds from nothingness, as also nothing passes away into non-existence.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Where life is possible at all, a right life is possible life in a palace is possible therefore even in a palace a right life is possible.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
They know not how many things are signified by the words stealing, sowing, buying, keeping quiet, seeing what ought to be done for this is not effected by the eyes, but by another kind of vision.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
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.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
It is a sin to persue pleasure as a good and to avoid pain as a evil.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
In the morning, when you are sluggish about getting up, let this thought be present: 'I am rising to a man's work.'
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Doctors keep their scalpels and other instruments handy, for emergencies. Keep your philosophy ready too - ready to understand heaven and earth. In everything you do, even the smallest thing, remember the chain that links them. Nothing earthly succeeds by ignoring heaven, nothing heavenly by ignoring earth.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
From the philosopher Catulus, never to be dismissive of a friend's accusation, even if it seems unreasonable, but to make every effort to restore the relationship to its normal condition.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Every living organism is fulfilled when it follows the right path for its own nature.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
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
Image
If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgement of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgement now.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
I, who have never willfully pained another, have no business to pain myself.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Purge your mind of all aimless and idle thoughts, especially those that pry into the affairs of others or wish them ill.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
The lot assigned to every man is suited to him, and suits him to itself.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
He is a true fugitive who flies from reason.
Marcus Aurelius