I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.
Marcus AureliusRead
Accustom yourself not to be disregarding of what someone else has to say: as far as possible enter into the mind of the speaker.
Interpretation
Listen actively and empathize with others to understand their perspective.
This quote by Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of active listening and empathy in communication. It urges individuals to set aside their own judgments and preconceptions in order to truly grasp the thoughts and feelings of the speaker, fostering deeper connections and mutual understanding.
In practice
In a team meeting, when discussing project ideas, I reminded everyone of Marcus Aurelius' quote to encourage open dialogue.
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.
You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.
Vex not thy spirit at the course of things; they heed not thy vexation. How ludicrous and outlandish is astonishment at anything that may happen in life.
You don't have to turn this into something. It doesn't have to upset you. Things can't shape our decisions by themselves.
A man's worth is no greater than his ambitions.
Both Faith and Terror are instruments for the elimination of individual self-respect. Terror crushes the autonomy of self-respect, where Faith obtains its more or less voluntary surrender. In both cases, the result of the elimination of individual autonomy is - automatism. Both Faith and Terror reduce the human entity to a formula that can be manipulated at will.
there is no shortage of fault to be found amid our stars
That is the strangeness of language: it crosses the boundaries of the body, is at once inside and outside, and it sometimes happens that we don't notice the threshold has been crossed.
Our community with one another consists solely in what Christ has done to each of us.
All work is an act of philosophy.
What is it about fire that's so lovely? No matter what age we are, what draws us to it?...The thing man wanted to invent, but never did...If you let it go on, it'd burn our lifetimes out. What is fire? It is a mystery. Scientists give us gobbledygook about friction and molecules. But they don't really know. Its real beauty is that it destroys responsibility and consequences.
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