— From A Guide to the Good Life – The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by WILLIAM B. IRVINE We should remind ourselves that “this mortal life endures but a moment,” meaning that we soon will be dead.” Putting annoying incidents into their cosmic context, he thinks, will make their triviality apparent and will therefore
Tag: Marcus Aurelius
Human lives are brief and trivial. Yesterday a blob of semen; tomorrow embalming fluid, ash
Marcus Aurelius Don’t let yourself forget how many doctors have died, furrowing their brows over how many deathbeds. How many astrologers, after pompous forecasts about others ends. How many philosophers, after endless disquisitions on death and immortality. How many warriors, after inflicting thousands of casualties themselves. How many tyrants, after abusing the power of life
If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgment of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgment now
Marcus Aurelius If you are pained by external things, it is not they that disturb you, but your own judgment of them. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgment now.”
If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying anything deserving of contempt
Marcus Aurelius If any man despises me, that is his problem. My only concern is not doing or saying anything deserving of contempt.”
Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back
Marcus Aurelius Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back.”
You are a little soul carrying about a corpse
Marcus Aurelius You are a little soul carrying about a corpse, as Epictetus used to say”