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
You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-control and the understanding that we can only control our thoughts, not external circumstances.
Marcus Aurelius reminds us that true power lies within our own minds. By recognizing that we cannot control external events but can manage our thoughts and perceptions about them, we gain internal strength and resilience. This insight encourages individuals to focus on their attitudes and reactions rather than on attempting to manipulate the world around them.
Themes
PowerMindControlStrengthThoughts
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a motivational speech about mental resilience.
More from Marcus Aurelius
All quotes βDo 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.
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
Breach of promise is a base surrender of truth.
Mahatma GandhiRead
At first glance, the key and the lock it fits may seem very different," Sazed said. "Different in shape, different in function, different in design. The man who looks at them without knowledge of their true nature might think them opposites, for one is meant to open, and the other to keep closed. Yet, upon closer examination he might see that without one, the other becomes useless. The wise man then sees that both lock and key were created for the same purpose.
Brandon SandersonRead
The more circumspectly you delay writing down an idea, the more maturely developed it will be on surrendering itself.
Walter BenjaminRead
Ironically, in today's marketplace successful nonfiction has to be unbelievable, while successful fiction must be believable.
Jerry B. JenkinsRead
But far more numerous was the herd of such, Who think too little, and who talk too much.
John DrydenRead
Those who are serious in ridiculous matters will be ridiculous in serious matters.
Cato The ElderRead