An illustration of the author.

Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was Roman emperor and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors (a term coined some 13 centuries later by Niccolò Machiavelli), and the last emperor of the Pax Romana (27 BC to 180), an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire. He served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161.

An illustration of the author.

What is the meaning of life

Humans exist for the sake of one another. You should add value to others.

An illustration of the author.

How to deal with your thoughts

Every hour of the day give vigorous attention to what you're doing, and vacate your mind from all its other thoughts. You will achieve this by performing every action as if it were the last of your life.

An illustration of the author.

How should you live your life

Embrace whatever happens to you. Always stay true and just.

An illustration of the author.

How to decide if you should do something

Never consider doing anything which would break your integrity or which comes from hate.

An illustration of the author.

How to deal with grief

You should focus on what's under your control. Do not drag on the sadness of loss, move on.

An illustration of the author.

How to be successful at work

You cannot choose your intellect, but you can display virtues which are in your own power - integrity, dignity, hard work, self-denial, contentment, frugality, kindness, independence, simplicity, discretion, magnanimity.

An illustration of the author.

How should you deal with others

You should treat others with respect. You should be kind to others as you could be in their position. You should not be angry at others' behaviour, just show them the right way. Do not expect anything from others.

An illustration of the author.

How to have a great relationship

Do not expect anything from your partner. Do things for the sake of them and not for reciprocity. Your feelings should not make you irrational.

An illustration of the author.

How to deal with negative thoughts

Remove the thought 'I am hurt' and the hurt itself is removed.

An illustration of the author.

Is work desirable

We are not made to only experience pleasure, but also to  work. You cannot control intellect but you can control hard work. Do not seek praise.