Marcus Aurelius (121-180) 'Dig within. Within is the wellspring of good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.'
With his capacity for dutiful action, philosophical reflection and compassion for his subjects Marcus Aurelius became the model of the perfect Roman emperor.
His private diary, called
Meditations, reveal a man trying to apply stoic philosophy to the highest office in the Roman world. They are full of virtuous ideals, practical wisdom and flowing epigrams such as: "It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live" and "Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right is to be none the less free than you were before".
A man of gentle and deep thought, he was constantly required to fight wars, administer the Roman Empire and suffer the intrigues of politics; yet, for all the trappings of wealth and power, he knew that "nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul".
Read about Marcus Aurelius on WikipediaRead about Marcus Aurelius on Roman Emperors.orgRead about Marcus Aurelius on the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
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