11 Best Quotes From Meditations

I was 20 years old (one year ago, that is). I didn’t know what Stoicism was or who this Marcus Aurelius was.

Nonetheless, I really liked the title of his book: Meditations. Such an inspiring title. So I bought it.

How much can a book change your life?

It turns out — a lot.

After reading Meditations for the fifth time, I found out that 11 lessons clicked with me the most.

I’m sure they will benefit you as much as they have helped me live a more virtuous life.

1. “It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character.” Stay true to your values or risk ruin, in a sense.

2. “Receive without pride; let go without attachment.” There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Remember that.

3. “No man steps in the same river twice.” Marcus Aurelius here quotes Heraclitus, one of the first Greek philosophers. No man steps into the same river twice, because not only the river’s water, but also the man have changed.

4. “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do, say, and think.” Most people live as if they are destined to live forever. By the time they understand that someday will be the last day, it’s too late.

5. “No role is so well suited to philosophy as the one you happen to be in right now.” You will never find better circumstances than these ones. Practice. Practice. Practice.

6. “Stop arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” Aren’t you tired of saying, “I’m going to do it tomorrow?” Do it now. Tomorrow could be too late.

7. “Is a world without shameless people possible? No. So this person you’ve just met is one of them. Get over it.” Follow Marcus’ advice and mentally prepare yourself for the busybodies, egomaniacs, and ungratefuls that you meet each day. They also have their own role in this world.

8. "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." Next time someone disagrees with you, remember that their opinion is just their opinion. It doesn’t define you.

9. "The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.” How can you befriend someone who takes revenge on others? That’s right; you can’t. So don’t be that person.

10. "Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you.” Treat each day like a bonus day. You’ll never run out of time this way.

11. "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." It takes courage to admit that your own self is the one causing your sadness. Yet, as sad as it is, it’s also sadly true.

Till next time,

Said The Stoic

PS. Reply to this email with the lessons you identified the most. Let’s have a Stoic-related conversation!