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
Where a man can live, he can also live well.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that one's environment or circumstances do not limit the potential for a fulfilling life.
Marcus Aurelius implies that regardless of the physical place in which one resides, it is possible to thrive and find quality in life. This speaks to the idea that our attitude and mindset play a crucial role in determining the quality of our experiences, highlighting the power of personal agency in shaping our lives for the better, regardless of external conditions.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about overcoming adversity.
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.
In fact, if law were restricted to protecting all persons, all liberties, and all properties; if law were nothing more than the organized combination of the individual's right to self-defense; if law were the obstacle, the check, the punisher of all oppression and plunder - is it likely that we citizens would then argue much about the extent of the franchise?
Capital punishment is against the best judgment of modern criminology and, above all, against the highest expression of love in the nature of God.
Out of the experience of extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.
But in the expression of the countenance, which was beaming all over with smiles, there still lurked (incomprehensible anomalyl) that fitful strain of melancholy which will ever be found inseparable from the perfection of the beautiful.
We are afraid of the enormity of the possible.
I personally chose to go vegan because I educated myself on factory farming and cruelty to animals, and I suddenly realized that what was on my plate were living things, with feelings. And I just couldn't disconnect myself from it any longer. I read books like 'Diet for a New America' and saw documentaries like 'Earthlings' and 'Meet your Meat,' and it became an easy choice for me.
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