Our world has a lot of stressors. Politics, social media, jobs, competitions, etc. There’s something out there to rattle everyone’s cage and it can be hard to ignore the distractions caused by those stressors. Yet it is expected of each and everyone of us to face the day, and achieve in spite of it. The societal pressure of success at times can seem unrealistic and the ideal of achievement can provoke a lot of anxiety. So how does one face the day, despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles presented? The Stoics of Ancient Greece and Rome believed it was through acceptance of the moment and not allowing fear to become a deterrent. One of the most famous Stoics was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE), considered to be the last of Rome’s Five Good Emperors. Aside from ruling one of the most powerful empires in the ancient world, Marcus Aurelius was also a noted philosopher in the Stoic tradition famous for composing his Meditations. Considered one of the finest philosophical works in human history, Meditations has inspired many prominent public figures including Bill Clinton, Lupe Fiasco, Anna Kendrick, and JK Rowling. Here are 10 of the best quotes from Meditations, hopefully they can inspire and motivate you to face the day!

1. 

“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can’t tell good from evil.”

2.

“Remember that man lives only in the present, in this fleeting instant; all the rest of his life is either past and gone, or not yet revealed.”

3.

“The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”

4.

“The intelligence of the universe is social.”

5. 

“Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; but if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.”

6. 

“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”

7.

“Look within. Within is the fountain of the good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.”

8.

“It is not fit that I should give myself pain, for I have never intentionally given pain even to another.”

9.

“A wrongdoer is often a man who has left something undone, not always one who has done something.”

10.

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

Categories: Uncategorized