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
Not to waste time on nonsense. Not to be taken in by conjurors and hoodoo artists with their talk about incantations and exorcism and all the rest of it. Not to be obsessed with quail-fighting or other crazes like that.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focus on what is truly important and avoid distractions and frivolities.
In this quote, Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of not getting caught up in trivial matters and distractions that can cloud one's judgment and waste time. He urges individuals to remain grounded and prioritize what genuinely matters in life, steering clear of the deceptive allure of superficial practices and trends.
Themes
WisdomFocusDistractionImportanceLife
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about productivity, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of prioritizing crucial tasks.
More from Marcus Aurelius
All quotes →You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
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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.
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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.
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You don't have to turn this into something. It doesn't have to upset you. Things can't shape our decisions by themselves.
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A man's worth is no greater than his ambitions.
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