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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

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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
Idea
Produces
Inspirational
Aspiration
Ideas
Lower
Self
Compare
Estimates
Mean
Noble
Compares
Way
Ambition
Aspires
Men
Produce
Vulgar
Higher
Aspire

More quotes by Marcus Aurelius

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You are making an inopportune rejection of what Nature has given you today, if all your mind is set on what men will say of you tomorrow.
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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.
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Give thyself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around.
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No state sorrier than that of the man who keeps up a continual round, and pries into the secrets of the nether world, as saith the poet, and is curious in conjecture of what is in his neighbour's heart.
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Short-lived are both the praiser and the praised, and rememberer and the remembered: and all this in a nook of this part of the world and not even here do all agree, no, not any one with himself: and the whole earth too is a point.
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To her who gives and takes back all, to nature, the man who is instructed and modest says, Give what thou wilt take back what thou wilt. And he says this not proudly, but obediently and well pleased with her.
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The one thing worth living for is to keep one's soul pure.
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Why should a man have any apprehension about the change and dissolution of all the elements? For it is according to nature, and nothing is evil which is according to nature.
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Practice really hearing what people say. Do your best to get inside their mind.
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Change your attitude to the things that bother you and you will be aware of them.
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How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.
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Cultivate these, then, for they are wholly within your power: sincerity and dignity industriousness and sobriety. Avoid grumbling, be frugal, considerate, and frank be temperate in manner and speech carry yourself with authority.
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Remember that all is opinion. For what was said by the Cynic Monimus is manifest: and manifest too is the use of what was said, if a man receives what may be got out of it as far as it is true.
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And in the case of superior things like stars, we discover a kind of unity in separation. The higher we rise on the scale of being, the easier it is to discern a connection even among things separated by vast distances.
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All things change, and you yourself are constantly wasting away. So also is the universe.
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Look to the essence of a thing, whether it be a point of doctrine, of practice, or of interpretation.
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If anyone can refute me-show me I'm making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective-I'l l gladly change. It's the truth I'm after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.
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Failing to understand the workings of one's own mind is bound to lead to unhappiness.
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Nature insists on whatever benefits the whole.
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Remember that the sole life which a man can lose is that which he is living at the moment.
Marcus Aurelius