Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor, as well as a Stoic philosopher. His death in 180 marked the end of a period of Roman prosperity that had lasted for almost a century.¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: 121
2. Birth name: Marcus Annius Catilius Severus
3. Served as co-emperor with Lucius Verus
4. Adopted by Antoninus Pius
5. Married his maternal cousin, Pius' daughter
6. Meditations: Approximately 66,000 words²
7. Died: 180

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius kept a journal from 170 until his death in 180. This journal, containing the emperor's private thoughts about life and death, was first published in 1558. An edition reissued in 2002 was on The New York Times bestseller list for two weeks.

Quotes

"Do not consider life a thing of any value. For look to the immensity of time behind thee, and to the time which is before thee, another boundless space. In this infinity then what is the difference between him who lives three days and him who lives three generations?"—Marcus Aurelius³

"Is any man afraid of change? Why what can take place without change? What then is more pleasing or more suitable to the universal nature? And canst thou take a bath unless the wood undergoes a change? And canst thou be nourished, unless the food undergoes a change? And can anything else that is useful be accomplished without change? Dost thou not see then that for thyself also to change is just the same, and equally necessary for the universal nature?"—Marcus Aurelius⁴

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature."—Marcus Aurelius⁵

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