Top 10 Best Quotes from Marcus Aurelius

You have more control over your mind than you think. Yes, things do happen, but it's up to you to react to the situation whether it's in your control or not.

If you have pessimistic ways of thinking or thoughts of ill will, you have the power to stop these thought patterns right now. The more you align yourself with those thoughts, the more you become accustomed to sticking to those patterns.

Think about it: your brain is like plastic - plastic is easily flexible and so is your brain, as it is able to adapt to the environment. Even when it takes effort, identify the source of what makes you feel that way, acknowledge those thoughts, question why you feel that way, then try replacing those with balanced thoughts, and later more positive thoughts. This would slowly accustom you to having a more balanced perspective.

Some of us would attempt to control events in order to align with our expectations. In some cases, we don't have the power at all to change events, especially those that are out of our control. But you have control to change your pattern of thinking, how you react to things, and how we make decisions.

This doesn't mean we can always avoid acting impulsively, but being aware of what you are capable of and harnessing the best of it is what the quote is trying to say.

When we criticize someone, we may not realize it, but we may be projecting our own similar flaws onto them. Whenever we see someone who is the opposite of us, we tend to react negatively. We rarely consider examining ourselves before criticizing others for their flaws. You have to keep your own house clean, or else no one will be convinced of your thoughts, as you may be seen as a hypocrite.

This is definitely true. However, I think it's important to consider how you intend to criticize someone. If you were planning to tell them what a pathetic excuse for a human being they are, then you had better think long and hard about whether they really deserve it.

However, if you intend to criticize someone politely and constructively, then you probably don't have to worry as much.

It's human nature to make simple things complicated. In fact, you only need food, water, and a roof over your head to live a satisfying life. It's those materialistic possessions that make us want more and more.

There are some poor people who struggle to obtain those basic needs but still remain content. Happiness is gained when you find meaning in life and are grateful for whatever you have.

Anger is a tricky emotion to deal with, as it can shut off a person's clear way of thinking. It's easier said than done to be aware of the causes that evoke anger.

Although this is a fancy way of encouraging people to "breathe," think about the times when you're angry. Then, consider what could have been better in dealing with that emotion, how to avoid the situation that made you feel that way, and how to "let it out" in more appropriate situations.

This can be applied in the context of both failure and hardship. Whenever you work hard on something and it makes you feel bitter (e.g., failure), don't see this as a hopeless disadvantage.

Rather, take this as an opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Going through hardship can leave you with valuable lessons in the future, hence the words "good fortune" in the end of the quote.

A more oblique saying but still holds a very strong message. This quote is saying that we are all going to end up at the same destination: death. The word "incense" can be interpreted as life. No matter how soon or late we die, it does not make a difference. This is not limited to us, but to everything as well.

Whenever hardship or failure happens, it is your own will to choose how to react to it accordingly. If you react to it in a negative way, it can seem like a step backward. But choosing to react to it realistically, such as acknowledging and learning through the problem, can lead to a closer step to success.

There are difficult situations that we can't accept, but we can always consider there's a valuable lesson behind them.

Continued: - "all of them due to the offenders' ignorance of what is good or evil. But for my part, I have long perceived the nature of good and its nobility, the nature of evil and its meanness, and also the nature of the culprit himself, who is my brother (not in the physical sense, but as a fellow creature similarly endowed with reason and a share of the divine). Therefore, none of those things can injure me, for nobody can implicate me in what is degrading.

Neither can I be angry with my brother or fall foul of him, for he and I were born to work together, like a man's two hands, feet, or eyelids, or the upper and lower rows of his teeth. To obstruct each other is against Nature's law - and what is irritation or aversion but a form of obstruction?"

It's always expected that you will meet close-minded people who might potentially insult you. This doesn't mean you are the only one experiencing this, and that's okay. But by no means should you let their words eat at you, as they may either misunderstand you, not mean it that way, or just want to stay close-minded.

The best way to deal with those people is to ignore them and simply focus on what is important to you. However, this may not always work depending on the situation.

Even with the pressure of negative people, focus on setting yourself as a good example, and do not react similarly to your enemy's actions.

Simply put, push yourself outside your comfort zone, take risks, and live the life you want to live, even with the obstacles you may encounter.

A self-explanatory piece of common sense that we should all pursue.

There are times when you will be intolerant to the point that you'll seek loneliness. People do have conflicting views. The best way to deal with those people is to either tolerate or guide them to a better path.

Full quote: "Wipe out the imagination. Stop the pulling of the strings. Confine thyself to the present. Understand well what happens either to thee or to another. Divide and distribute every object into the causal (formal) and the material. Think of thy last hour. Let the wrong which is done by a man stay there where the wrong was done."

Basically, rely on yourself and do not seek validation from other people.