Meditations — Wisdom from Marcus Aurelius

“Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius remains one of the best collections of wisdom in history. It is considered as one of best works of Stoic philosophy. Below are some of the most memorable quotes from the Roman Emperor:

1. "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."
2. "Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one."
3. "It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."
4. "Do not waste time on what you cannot change."
5. "It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it."
6. "You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think."
7. "The best way to avenge yourself is to be unlike your enemy."
8. “What injures the hive injures the bee”
9. “Mastery of reading and writing requires a master. Still more so life.”
10. “It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character. Otherwise it cannot harm you—inside or out.”