Masters of Habit: Rituals, Lessons, and Quotes from Marcus Aurelius

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

On fulfilling your duty…Everything, a horse, a vine, is created for some duty. For what task, then, were you yourself created? A man's true delight is to do the things he was made for.

You don't have to turn this into something. It doesn't have to upset you. Things can't shape our decisions by themselves.

On dealing with criticism…You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

On living a good life…Your mind will be like its habitual thoughts; for the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. Soak it then in such trains of thoughts as, for example: Where life is possible at all, a right life is possible.

On taking action…It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

On asking for help…Don't be ashamed to need help. Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you've been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? So what?

Aurelius believed that philosophy wasn’t merely something to think about, but that it should also be practiced.

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.