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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Live fully and ethically, acknowledging the inevitability of death.
This quote by Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of living a good life in the present moment, recognizing that life is fleeting and the certainty of death should inspire us to act with virtue. It serves as a reminder to not take time for granted and to focus on moral actions while we still have the opportunity.
Themes
LifeDeathVirtuePresentLiving
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a speech about making the most of life.
More from Marcus Aurelius
All quotes βYou have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
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
A person's life is dyed with the color of his imagination.
Marcus AureliusRead
Similar quotes
It's great if a pilot starts off great and if it doesn't start off so great it's not that big a deal: everybody's baby is born ugly. But you want to know, if given the opportunity: Where are we going? What's the story we're trying to tell?
Timothy OlyphantRead
You create a world away from home and make new rooms for yourself. But when you arrive back home in your old rooms, the world you've made for yourself ceases to be real. Everything seems to crumble. Anyone who's been sent away to boarding school can understand that.
Colm ToibinRead
Life is to be lived, not controlled, and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.
Ralph EllisonRead
It is normal to give away a little of one's life in order not to lose it all.
Albert CamusRead
You don't know what kind of day you will have, until evening.
SophoclesRead
I'm still trying to figure out how to write about cancer and my family's experience with it. If I had been able to write 'The Pura Principle' back in those days, I'm positive it would have had no humor in it. Which means the story would have been false.
Junot DiazRead