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
When force of circumstance upsets your equanimity lose no time in recovering your self-control, and do not remain out of tune longer than you can help. Habitual recurrence to the harmony will increase your mastery of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Maintain your composure in the face of challenges and work to regain your balance quickly.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-control and emotional stability, especially when faced with difficult circumstances. It suggests that instead of dwelling on negative emotions or turmoil, one should strive to restore inner peace and harmony as quickly as possible, as the practice of this can enhance one's ability to remain centered in the future.
Themes
Self-ControlEquanimityHarmonyCircumstanceMastery
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about resilience, one could use this quote to illustrate the importance of quickly regaining composure.
More from Marcus Aurelius
All quotes →You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Marcus AureliusRead
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.
Marcus AureliusRead
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.
Marcus AureliusRead
You don't have to turn this into something. It doesn't have to upset you. Things can't shape our decisions by themselves.
Marcus AureliusRead
A man's worth is no greater than his ambitions.
Marcus AureliusRead
Similar quotes
Devote the mind to confusion and we know only too well, if we´re honest, that it will become a dark master of confusion, adept in its addictions, subtle and perversely supple in its slaveries. Devote it in meditation to the task of freeing itself from illusion, and we will find that, with time, patience, discipline, and the right training, our mind will begin to unknot itself and know its essential bliss and clarity.
Sogyal RinpocheRead
I think forgiveness is probably one of the greatest forms of self-love there is because you don't do forgiveness for anybody else. My captors will never care if I forgive them... It will not make a day of difference to them at all, but it will make a huge difference to me.
Elizabeth SmartRead
Now is the time to know that all that you do is sacred... Now is the time for you to deeply compute the impossibility that there is anything but grace.
HafezRead
All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific.
Jane WagnerRead
Good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men appreciate and are grateful. Wise men try to express their appreciation and gratitude by some return of kindness, not only to their benefactor, but to everyone else
Gautama BuddhaRead
We must make the choices that enable us to fulfill the deepest capacities of our real selves.
Thomas MertonRead