Marcus Aurelius

A small branch cut off from a big limb is separated from the whole tree. In the same way when a person is in an argument with another person, he is separated from all humanity.

Why are you so afraid of change? Nothing in this world can be done without change. Only one rule should remain constant: do not do anything inhumane to others.

A person’s soul may be compared to a transparent ball which is lit from the inside with its own light. This flame is not only the source of all light and truth, but it illuminates everything around you. In this state, the soul is free and happy. Only if it becomes addicted to anything outside you will it become troubled, darkened, and impenetrable. Distractions obstruct the light which shows you the way.

I call this life a happy one in which I do one good deed after another, with no intervals between them.

You should welcome everything which happens to you from birth to death, because the existence and the purpose of the world is in these cases.

Pain is the necessary condition of our body, and suffering is the necessary condition of our spiritual life, from birth to death.

The purpose of your life is not to do as the majority does, but to live according to the inner law which you understand in yourself. Do not act against your conscience or against truth. Live like this, and you will fulfill the task of your life.

The human soul, not by itself, but by some power, is pushed closer and closer to truth and goodness, and the better we understand this, the more humble we will be.

All the world is subject to one law, and all thinking beings have the same basic intellect. Therefore, all wise men share the same idea of perfection.

Life is short. Do not forget about the most important things in our life, living for other people and doing good for them.

I call spirit that part of man which has independent existence and gives us the understanding of life.

There is only one law of life which is really precious: though you meet all the time with injustice, remain humble.

We should always try to find those things which do not separate us from other people but which unite us. To work against each other, to bea ngry and turn your back on each other, is to work against nature.

Nothing is more harmful than a bad example set by others. They bring into our life notions which never would have occurred to us without an example. Do not allow yourself to be infected by the mood or spirit of those who abuse you; do not step onto their path.

Do you worry about the moment when you die? Our life is only a moment in eternity. Think and you will see that you have eternity behind you and before you, and between these two huge abysses, what difference does it make whether you live three days or three centuries?

You could die very quickly; but yet you have time to rid yourself of your passions. Be humble to everyone.

Remember that you are more free if you change your opinion and follow those who have corrected your mistakes, than if you are stubborn about your mistakes.

Understand that you are part of a great spiritual brotherhood; there is something cheering and soothing in the thought which will make you calm and satisfied.

Evil does not exist in material nature by itself, but evil exists for every person who understands goodness, and who has the freedom of choice between good and bad.

You should live your life as if you are ready to say good-bye to it at any moment, as if the time left you is some pleasant surprise.

Try to live your life and be happy withy our destiny, acquiring inner peace by love and good deeds.

When you carry your burden, you should know that it is good for you to have it. Make the best of this burden and take from it everything which is necessary for your intellectual life, as your stomach takes from food everything necessary for your flesh, or as fire burns brighter after you put some wood on it.

If you notice someone in error, then correct this person and his mistake in a humble way. If he does not listen to you, blame yourself only; or, even better, do not blame anybody, but continue to be humble.

Do not despair. Do not be disappointed if you see that you cannot accomplish all the good which you would like to accomplish. If you fall, try to stand up; try to overcome the obstacle before you. Get to the heart of the matter, to the essence of things.

Work all the time. Do not think that work is a disaster for you, and do not seek praise or reward for your work.

A distinctive feature of a thinking person is submission to his fate, as opposed to the shameful struggle with it that is a characteristic feature of animals.