Marcus Aurelius

"Receive without arrogance, release without struggle."

"As plague in the body is a tumor, so in society is a bad man."

"There is nowhere you can go and be alone. Your thoughts are always with you."

"Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger and annoy us."

"Look inward; inside you is the source of endless strength."

"You could return this instant to virtue and peace and wisdom; even if they had blown against you for ten thousand years."

"Understand that every judgment you form is an opinion, subject to change."

"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."

"Whenever you find yourself doubting whether you can live according to reason, remind yourself: If that's not in your control, it's not your problem."

"The fact of your existence is a miracle of probability."

"Be wary of those who eulogize you. They may be making a virtue of your helplessness."

"Reflect on your leadership. Are you leading by example or by coercion?"

"The things you have pursued – chase them as though they were running away from you."

"How can iron be separated from rust? Exactly thus: by action, not by talk."

"The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes any obstacle to its working."

"Vain hope is the beggar of man. Rational hope flows from deliberate action."

"There is a light in this world; a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter."

"Ill health and suffering are good reminders of your fragility and mortality."

"Every moment - live fully. Every hour - choose wisely. Every day - act righteously."

"Your life is now - if you keep postponing, you never truly live."

"Stop creating obstacles for yourself. The path is clear if you allow it to be."

"That which makes the athlete great is the same which makes the sage wise."

"The days are long, but the years are short. Cherish the time you have."

"Know that you are worthy of respect, and no one can take that from you without your consent."

"What stands between you and the life you wish to live? Only your thoughts. Change them."

"You have survived everything up to this point that you thought would destroy you."

"The universe will test you. Rise to meet it."

"A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it."

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants and great gratitude."

"Turn obstacles into the path. Use adversity to build character."