Author

Marcus Aurelius Quotes

Roman emperor 161–180 CE — last of the Five Good Emperors and author of the private journal we now read as the Meditations.

13 sourced quotes from Marcus Aurelius across Fear & Stoicism.

“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

Meditations · ~170 CE Fear

“If it is endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining.”

Meditations · Book V Fear

“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

Meditations · attributed Fear

“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.”

Meditations 6.30 Stoicism

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

Meditations 5.16 Stoicism

“Confine yourself to the present.”

Meditations 7.29 Stoicism

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”

Meditations 2.11 Stoicism

“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”

Meditations 10.16 Stoicism

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”

Meditations 2.1 Stoicism

“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

Meditations 12.1 Stoicism

“Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.”

Meditations 7.59 Stoicism

“Choose not to be harmed — and you will not feel harmed. Choose not to feel harmed — and you have not been.”

Meditations 4.7 Stoicism

“The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.”

Meditations 7.69 Stoicism