Some More Marcus Aurelius

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Been spending a lot of time practicing guitar and learning new songs. I was thinking that I hadn't posted any of my favorite Marcus Aurelius quotes in a while, so I figured I'd share a few more.

Here's one I need to keep in mind when I don't want to go to work in the morning (all of these are from his "Meditations")

5.1 At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work – as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for – the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?

and one that I'm particularly fond of

8.57 What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.


Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emporer from 161-180 A.D. Read more from Wikipedia.

More Marcus Aurelius

I haven't posted a Marcus Aurelius quote in a while, so figured I'd do so. Here's a couple quotes I like related to perspective and his ongoing theme that everything is part a universal theme and we all have our part to play:

"4.40 The world as a living being – one nature, one soul. Keep that in mind. And how everything feeds into that single experience, moves with a single motion. And how everything helps produce everything else. Spun and woven together."

"2.8 Don’t ever forget these things:
The nature of the world.
My nature.
How I relate to the world.
What proportion of it I make up.
That you are part of nature, and no one can prevent you from speaking and acting in harmony with it, always."


From Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", Gregory Hayes' translation:

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emporer from 161-180 A.D. Read more from Wikipedia.

I'm still here...

... but with the economy acting the way it is I'm wondering why I bother saving in the first place. No, I'm not broke yet, but markets like this just make you want to go out an buy a big screen TV so at least you can watch the country go down the drain in High Definition! At least I used to be able to afford one - maybe not now.

Actually looked at the 401K today and was surprised I was only down 26% so far this year - although it's probably closer to 30% after today!

At least I'm in a country of such abundance that I can shrug my shoulders and go on with things.

It reminds me of my good buddy Marcus Aurelius

3.10 Forget everything else. Keep hold of this alone and remember it: Each of us lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see…

and this little quote, which while not intended for markets like this might apply:

8.20 Nature is like someone throwing a ball in the air, gauging it’s rise and arc – and where it will fall. And what does the ball gain as it flies upward? Or lose when it plummets to earth?
What does the bubble gain from its existence? Or lose by bursting?

Marcus Aurelius

I haven't posted a Marcus Aurelius quotation in a while.

More from Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", Gregory Hayes' translation:

6.42 All of us are working on the same project. Some consciously, with understanding; some without knowing it…. Some of us work in one way, and some in others. And those who complain and try to obstruct and thwart things – they help as much as anyone. The world needs them all.
6.43 Does the sun try to do the rain’s work?

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emporer from 161-180 A.D. Read more from Wikipedia.

More Marcus Aurelius

I was reading on Derek Sivers Blog (founder of cdbaby.com) something about span of control and your span of influence, and that we basically shouldn't worry about things we have no influence over.

The quotes below from Marcus Aurelius remind me of that observation:

8.4 You can hold your breath until you turn blue, but they’ll still go on doing it.

and

7.71 It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.

-from Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", Gregory Hayes' translation. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emporer from 161-180 A.D. Read more from Wikipedia.

Marcus Aurelius for the day - 2.7

More from Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", Gregory Hayes' translation:

2.7 Do external things distract you? Then make time for yourself to learn something worthwhile; stop letting yourself be pulled in all directions. But make sure you guard against the other kind of confusion. People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time – even when hard at work.

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emporer from 161-180 A.D. Read more from Wikipedia. His "Meditations" resemble extremely insightful pep talks to himself for focusing his energy in running the empire as well as he can.

Marcus Aurelius for the day - 12.4

More from Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", Gregory Hayes' translation:

12.4 It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emporer from 161-180 A.D. Read more from Wikipedia.

Marcus Aurelius for the day - 4.24

Here's some more from my favorite Roman Emperor.

4.24 “If you seek tranquility, do less.” Or more accurately, do what is essential… Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better. Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment “Is this necessary?”
Marcus Aurelius – Meditations from Gregory Hayes’ translation

Marcus Aurelius for the day

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 A.D., and can probably be called a philosopher king. I found some of his surviving writings in his "Meditations" to be compelling when I read them a month or so ago. I plan to post some of my favorite quotes over time. It seems much of the work consisted of little pep talks to himself to encourage himself to be the best Roman he could be.

2.4 Remember how long you’ve been putting this off, how many extensions the gods gave you, and you didn’t use them. At some point you have to recognize what world it is that you belong to; what power rules it and from what source you spring; that there is a limit to the time assigned you, and if you don’t use it to free yourself it will be gone and will never return.

and perhaps my favorite quote from the collection:

7.3 … But remembering that our own worth is measured by what we devote our energy to.

Quotes are from Marcus Aurelius "Meditations" (Gregory Hayes Translation)