Quote

The constant recollection of death is the test of human conduct.

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
Constant
Dying
Death
Human
Impermanence
Humans
Recollection
Conduct
Test
Tests

More quotes by Marcus Aurelius

Image
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
Image
Reflect often upon the rapidity with which all existing things, or things coming into existence, sweep past us and are carried away.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Receive without conceit, release without struggle.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Because other people are fools, must you be so too?
Marcus Aurelius
Image
To understand the true quality of people, you must look into their minds, and examine their pursuits and aversions.
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
Run down the list of those who felt intense anger at something: the most famous, the most unfortunate, the most hated, the most whatever: Where is all that now? Smoke, dust, legend...or not even a legend. Think of all the examples. And how trivial the things we want so passionately are.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
I can at once become happy anywhere, for he is happy who has found himself a happy lot. In a word, happiness lies all in the functions of reason, in warrantable desires and virtuous practice.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Adapt yourself to the life you have been given and truly love the people with whom destiny has surrounded you.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Where any work can be done conformably to the reason which is common to gods and men, there we have nothing to fear for where we are able to get profit by means of the activity which is successful and proceeds according to our constitution, there no harm is to be suspected.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
So much worse are the consequences of anger than its causes.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Take it that you have died today, and your life's story is ended and henceforward regard what future time may be given you as uncovenanted surplus, and live it out in harmony with nature.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Things themselves cannot touch the soul, not in the least degree, nor have they admission to the soul nor can they turn or move the soul: it turns and moves itself alone and whatever judgment it may think proper to make, such it makes by remaking for itself the things that present themselves to it
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Consider in what condition both in body and soul a man should be when he is overtaken by death and consider the shortness of life, the boundless abyss of time past and future, the feebleness of all matter.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
When force of circumstance upsets your equanimity lose no time in recovering your self-control, and do not remain out of tune longer than you can help. Habitual recurrence to the harmony will increase your mastery of it.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
A good man does not spy around for the black spots in others, but presses unswervingly on towards his mark.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Find time still to be learning somewhat good, and give up being desultory.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
What doesn't transmit light creates its own darkness.
Marcus Aurelius
Image
Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.
Marcus Aurelius