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
Run down the list of those who felt intense anger at something: the most famous, the most unfortunate, the most hated, the most whatever: Where is all that now? Smoke, dust, legend...or not even a legend. Think of all the examples. And how trivial the things we want so passionately are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the fleeting nature of anger and the triviality of our passions.
Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher, contemplates the temporary and inconsequential nature of anger and personal grievances. He encourages reflection on how the historical figures we remember for their anger or passion eventually fade into obscurity, emphasizing that the things we care deeply about may ultimately be trivial in the grand scheme of life.
Themes
AngerTrivialityStoicismPhilosophyReflection
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting to discuss personal growth, one could use this quote to highlight the futility of holding onto anger.
More from Marcus Aurelius
All quotes →You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Marcus AureliusRead
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.
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
Similar quotes
No member of a society has a right to teach any doctrine contrary to what the society holds to be true.
Samuel JohnsonRead
It is not a man's duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it practically his support. If I devote myself to other pursuits and contemplations, I must first see, at least, that I do not pursue them sitting upon another man's shoulders.
Henry David ThoreauRead
When I started out, nearly every architect I knew was working in public practice; that's where the radical thinking was done. But, there's always a danger of looking back as our fathers did and saying, 'Things were better then.'
Richard RogersRead
The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself but when he plays the role destiny has for him.
Vaclav HavelRead
People have motives and thoughts of which they are unaware.
Albert EllisRead
The mind is a machine that is constantly asking: What would I prefer? Close your eyes, refuse to move, and watch what your mind does. What it does is become discontent with that-which-is. A desire arises, you satisfy that desire, and another arises in its place.
George SaundersRead