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
Similar quotes
When human affairs are so ordered that there is no recognition of God, there is a belittling of man. That is why, in the final analysis, worship and law cannot be completely separated from each other. God has a right to a response from man, to man himself, and where that right of God totally disappears, the order of law among men is dissolved, because there is no cornerstone to keep the whole structure together.
Pope Benedict XviRead
What distressed me most - more even than my own folly - was the perplexing question - How can beauty and ugliness dwell so near? Even with her altered complexion and face of dislike; disenchanted of the belief that clung around her; known for a living, walking sepulcher, faithless, deluding, traitorous; I felt, notwithstanding all this, that she was beautiful. Upon this I pondered with undiminished perplexity.
George MacdonaldRead
It is well known that in war, the first casualty is truth - that during any war truth is forsaken for propaganda.
Harry BrowneRead
In proportion as a church is holy, in that proportion will its testimony for Christ be powerful.
Charles SpurgeonRead
I was early taught by sorrow to shed tears, and now when sudden joy lights up, or any unexpected sorrow strikes my heart, I find it difficult to repress the full and swelling tide of feeling.
Dorothea DixRead
But Father has also taught him: Treat a man as if he had a fine reputation to protect, and he will usually endeavor to deserve it.
Orson Scott CardRead