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
Stick to what's in front of you - idea, action, utterance.
Interpretation
Focus on the present moment and conduct your actions thoughtfully.
This quote from Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of being present and concentrating on what is directly in front of us, whether it is a thought, an action, or spoken words. It suggests that by honing in on the immediate tasks at hand, we can live a more intentional and fulfilling life, avoiding distractions that can lead us astray from our true purpose and values.
In practice
In a motivational speech about productivity, one might say, 'As Marcus Aurelius advised, stick to what's in front of you to reach your goals.'
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.
The whole drama of the world is such tragedy that I am weary of the spectacle.
You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn't. You get to decide what to worship.
I am struck here by the curious mixture of justice and injustice in our lives. We are blamed for our real faults but usually not on the right occasions.
Continuous eloquence wearies. Grandeur must be abandoned to be appreciated. Continuity in everything is unpleasant. Cold is agreeable, that we may get warm.
The consistent thinker, the consistently moral man, is either a walking mummy or else, if he has not succeeded in stifling all his vitality, a fanatical monomaniac.
You're not what you have and you're not what you do; you're aninfinite, divine being disguised as a successful person who has accumulated a certain amount of stuff. The stuff is not you. For that reason, you must avoid being attached to it in any way.
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