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“Of Fronto, to how much envy and fraud and hypocrisy the state of a tyrannous king is subject unto, and how they who are commonly called [Eupatridas Gk.], i.e. nobly born, are in some sort incapable, or void of natural affection.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book I, 8

“That to expect bad people not to injure others is crazy. It's to ask the impossible. And to let them behave like that to other people but expect them to exempt you is arrogant—the act of a tyrant.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
XI, 18
Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book XI

“A straightforward, honest person should be like someone who stinks: when you're in the same room.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book XI

“Someone despises me. That's their problem. Mine: not to do or say anything despicable. Someone hates me. Their problem. Mine: to be patient and cheerful with everyone, including them.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book XI, 13

“To live your brief life rightly, isn't that enough?”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book X, 31

“Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it's endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it's unendurable . . . then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book X, 3

“Yes, boorish people do boorish things. What's strange or unheard-of about that? Isn't it yourself you should reproach—for not anticipating that they'd act this way?”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book IX, 42

“Objective judgment, now, at this very moment. Unselfish action, now, at this very moment. Willing acceptance—now, at this very moment—of all external events. That's all you need.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book IX, 6

“The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it out. There are brambles in the path? Then go around them. That's all you need to know.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book VIII, 50

“External things are not the problem. It's your assessment of them. Which you can erase right now.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book VIII, 47

“It's silly to try to escape other people's faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book VII, 71

“The only thing that isn't worthless: to live this life out truthfully and rightly. And be patient with those who don't.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book VI, 47

“Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn't matter. Cold or warm. Tired or well-rested. Despised or honored. Dying . . . or busy with other assignments.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book VI, 2

“Consider all that you've gone through, all that you've survived. And that the story of your life is done, your assignment complete. How many good things have you seen? How much pain and pleasure have you resisted? How many honors have you declined? How many unkind people have you been kind to?”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book V, 31

“It's unfortunate that this has happened. No. It's fortunate that this has happened and I've remained unharmed by it—not shattered by the present or frightened of the future. It could have happened to anyone. But not everyone could have remained unharmed by it.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book IV, 49a

“You're better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book IV, 32

“Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?” But we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well. To eliminate the unnecessary actions that follow.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book IV, 24

“Not to live as if you had endless years ahead of you. Death overshadows you. While you're alive and able—be good.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book IV, 17

“Choose what's best.—Best is what benefits me.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book III, 6

“Concentrate every minute like a Roman—like a man—on doing what's in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. And on freeing yourself from all other distractions.”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

Hays translation
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book II, 5