Marcus Aurelius: Doing
Marcus Aurelius was Emperor of Ancient Rome. Explore interesting quotes on doing.“If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it.”
XII, 17
Source: Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book XII
Context: If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it. For let thy efforts be
“Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish.”
Source: The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
VI, 19
Source: Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VI
Source: Meditations
X, 6
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book X
Context: By remembering then that I am a part of such a whole, I shall be content with everything that happens. And inasmuch as I am in a manner intimately related to the parts which are of the same kind with myself, I shall do nothing unsocial, but I shall rather direct myself to the things which are of the same kind with myself, and I shall turn all my efforts to the common interest, and divert them from the contrary.
“Let thy understanding enter into the things that are doing and the things which do them.”
VII, 30
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VII
Context: Direct thy attention to what is said. Let thy understanding enter into the things that are doing and the things which do them.
“Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.”
Source: Meditations
Variant translation: If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, by which no one ever was truly harmed. Harmed is the person who continues in his self-deception and ignorance.
VI, 21
Source: Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VI
Source: Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IX, 16