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Every soul, the philosopher says, is involuntarily deprived of truth; consequently in the same way it is deprived of justice and temperance and benevolence and everything of the kind. It is most necessary to keep this in mind, for thus thou wilt be more gentle towards all.
Marcus Aurelius -
Be not as one that hath ten thousand years to live; death is nigh at hand: while thou livest, while thou hast time, be good.
Marcus Aurelius
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When thou art offended at any man's fault, forthwith turn to thyself and reflect in what manner thou doest error thyself... For by attending to this thou wilt quickly forget thy anger, if this consideration is also added, that the man is compelled; for what else could he do? or, if thou art able, take away from him the compulsion.
Marcus Aurelius -
All that happens is as usual and familiar as the rose in spring and the crop in summer.
Marcus Aurelius -
Ἔσω βλέπε· μηδενὸς πράγματος μήτε ἡ ἰδία ποιότης μήτε ἡ ἀξία παρατρεχέτω σε.
Marcus Aurelius -
From Plato: the man who has an elevated mind and takes a view of all time and of all substance, dost thou suppose it possible for him to think that human life is anything great? It is not possible, he said. Such a man then will think that death also is no evil.
Marcus Aurelius -
From Antisthenes: It is royal to do good and be abused.
Marcus Aurelius -
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
Marcus Aurelius
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Let there be freedom from perturbations with respect to the things which come from the external cause; and let there be justice in the things done by virtue of the internal cause, that is, let there be movement and action terminating in this, in social acts, for this is according to thy nature.
Marcus Aurelius -
No state sorrier than that of the man who keeps up a continual round, and pries into 'the secrets of the nether world,' as saith the poet, and is curious in conjecture of what is in his neighbour's heart.
Marcus Aurelius -
Retire into thyself. The rational principle which rules has this nature, that it is content with itself when it does what is just, and so secures tranquility.
Marcus Aurelius -
Give thyself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around.
Marcus Aurelius -
To her who gives and takes back all, to nature, the man who is instructed and modest says, Give what thou wilt; take back what thou wilt. And he says this not proudly, but obediently and well pleased with her.
Marcus Aurelius -
Think on this doctrine,-that reasoning beings were created for one another's sake; that to be patient is a branch of justice, and that men sin without intending it.
Marcus Aurelius
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In the constitution of that rational animal I see no virtue which is opposed to justice, but I see a virtue which is opposed to love of pleasure, and that is temperance.
Marcus Aurelius -
A wrongdoer is often a man who has left something undone, not always one who has done something.
Marcus Aurelius -
Know the joy of life by piling good deed on good deed until no rift or cranny appears between them.
Marcus Aurelius -
'Let your occupations be few,' says the sage, 'if you would lead a tranquil life.'
Marcus Aurelius -
Nothing happens to anyone that he can't endure. (Hays translation)
Marcus Aurelius -
Death, like generation, is a secret of Nature.
Marcus Aurelius
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Prize that which is best in the universe; and this is that which useth everything and ordereth everything.
Marcus Aurelius -
Consider that everything is opinion, and opinion is in thy power.
Marcus Aurelius -
Deem not life a thing of consequence. For look at the yawning void of the future, and at that other limitless space, the past.
Marcus Aurelius -
He who fears death either fears to lose all sensation or fears new sensations. In reality, you will either feel nothing at all, and therefore nothing evil, or else, if you can feel any sensations, you will be a new creature, and so will not have ceased to have life.
Marcus Aurelius