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
Confine yourself to the present.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the past or future.
The quote by Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of living in the now and not allowing distractions from past events or future uncertainties to cloud our minds. By confining ourselves to the present, we can experience life more fully and make better decisions that are grounded in reality rather than in the anxiety of what has been or what might come.
Themes
PresentMindfulnessLivingFocusNow
In practice
Example use cases
During a mindfulness workshop, the facilitator quoted Marcus Aurelius to encourage participants to focus on their breathing.
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
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Want of imagination makes things unreal enough to be destroyed. By imagination I mean knowledge and love. I mean compassion. People of power kill children, the old send the young to die, because they have no imagination. They have power. Can you have power and imagination at the same time? Can you kill people you donβt know and have compassion for them at the same time?
Wendell BerryRead