Marcus Aurelius on Action Quotes

"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."

"It is satisfaction to a man to do the proper works of a man. VIII, 26"

"Do not be wise in words - be wise in deeds."

"The obstacle to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."

"Then what should we work for? Only this: proper understanding; unselfish action; truthful speech. A resolve to accept whatever happens as necessary and familiar, flowing like water from that same source and spring. (Hays translation) IV, 33"

"Ambition means tying your well-being to what other people say or do. Self-indulgence means tying it to the things that happen to you. Sanity means tying it to your own actions."

"Concentrate every minute like a Roman—like a man—on doing what's in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. And on freeing yourself from all other distractions. (Hays translation) II, 5"

"Stop wandering about! You aren't likely to read your own notebooks, or ancient history, or the anthologies you've collected to enjoy in your old age. Get busy with life's purpose."

"Do what nature demands. Get a move on. If you have it in you, and don't worry whether anyone will give you credit for it."

"Stop debating what a good man should be. Be one."

"Look at everything that exists, and observe that it is already in dissolution and change, and as it were putrefaction or dispersion, or that everything is so constituted in nature as to die. X, 18"

"Learn to ask of all actions, “Why are they doing that?” Starting with your own. (Hays translation) X, 37"

"Not to feel exasperated, or defeated, or despondent because your days aren't packed with wise and moral actions. But to get back up when you fail, to celebrate behaving like a human--however imperfectly--and fully embrace the pursuit that you've embarked on. (Hays translation) Flinch not, neither give up nor despair, if the achieving of every act in accordance with right principle is not always continuous with thee."

"No carelessness in your actions. No confusion in your words. No imprecision in your thoughts. (Hays translation) Be not careless in deeds, nor confused in words, nor rambling in thought."

"How easy it is to repel and to wipe away every impression which is troublesome or unsuitable, and immediately to be in all tranquility. To shrug it all off and wipe it clean--every annoyance and distraction--and reach utter stillness. Child's play. (Hays translation)"

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

"Objective judgment, now, at this very moment. Unselfish action, now, at this very moment. Willing acceptance—now, at this very moment—of all external events. That's all you need. (Hays translation) IX, 6"

"Let no act be done without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to the perfect principles of art."

"If you do the job in a principled way, with diligence, energy and patience, if you keep yourself free of distractions, and keep the spirit inside you undamaged, as if you might have to give it back at any moment— If you can embrace this without fear or expectation—can find fulfillment in what you're doing now, as Nature intended, and in superhuman truthfulness (every word, every utterance)—then your life will be happy. (Hays translation)— III, 12"

"Do every act of your life as if it were your last."

"But true good fortune is what you make for yourself. Good fortune: good character, good intentions, and good actions. (Hays translation) V, 37"