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
Man must be arched and buttressed from within, else the temple wavers to the dust.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Inner strength and resilience are essential for stability in life.
This quote by Marcus Aurelius suggests that a person's character and inner strength act as a supportive structure, much like arches and buttresses that hold up a temple. Without this inner support, one's life can become unstable and prone to collapse, similar to how a poorly constructed temple would succumb to external pressures and ultimately deteriorate.
Themes
Inner StrengthResilienceStabilityCharacterPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about self-improvement.
More from Marcus Aurelius
All quotes βYou 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
Every day I try to be in communication with the universe in an unconscious way.
Paulo CoelhoRead
You lose your individuality a huge amount when you have no money, and I certainly had that experience.
J. K. RowlingRead
Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either - but right through every human heart...
Aleksandr SolzhenitsynRead
Be a terror to the butchers, that they may be fair in their weight; and keep hucksters and fraudulent dealers in awe, for the same reason.
Miguel De CervantesRead
One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. Thus we managed to portray President Gerald Ford, a first-rate athlete, as a klutz.
Nicholas KristofRead
The people always have some champion whom they set over them and nurse into greatness. ... This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.
PlatoRead