Marcus Aurelius

The emperor who wrote only for himself

121–180 · Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius ruled Rome for nineteen years, most of them at war or in plague, and kept a private notebook in Greek that he never meant anyone to read. That accident is why the Meditations sound nothing like philosophy written to impress — they are a man talking himself into getting up in the morning. He addresses himself throughout, which is why they still land eighteen centuries later.

Read Marcus when the thing in front of you is not going to get easier and you have to do it anyway.

1. I

   A man then must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

   Meditations, Book III · 180

2. II

   Think not so much of what thou hast not as of what thou hast.

   Meditations, Book VII · 180

3. III

   There is nothing new: all things are both familiar and short-lived.

   Meditations, Book VII · 180

4. IV

   The best way of avenging thyself is not to become like the wrong-doer.

   Meditations, Book VI · 180

5. V

   Life is a warfare and a stranger’s sojourn, and after—fame is oblivion.

   Meditations, Book II · 180

6. VI

   Receive wealth or prosperity without arrogance; and be ready to let it go.

   Meditations, Book VIII · 180

7. VII

   Practise thyself even in the things which thou despairest of accomplishing.

   Meditations, Book XII · 180

8. VIII

   Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered.

   Meditations, Book IV · 180

9. IX

   A good disposition is invincible if it be genuine, and not an affected smile and acting a part.

   Meditations, Book XI · 180

10. X

    Everything which belongs to the body is a stream, and what belongs to the soul is a dream and vapor.

    Meditations, Book II · 180

11. Be not ashamed to be helped; for it is thy business to do thy duty like a soldier in the assault on a town.

    Meditations, Book VII · 180

12. The mind which is free from passions is a citadel, for man has nothing more secure to which he can fly for refuge.

    Meditations, Book VIII · 180

13. He who does wrong does wrong against himself. He who acts unjustly acts unjustly to himself, because he makes himself bad.

    Meditations, Book IX · 180

14. Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.

    Meditations, Book IV · 180

15. Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee. While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.

    Meditations, Book IV · 180