Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a book that has been living on my desk for months, but it hasn’t been gathering dust like some of the other books I have on my desk. I actually have been reading frequently from it, usually when I’m taking a short break from the computer screen.

I’m not a stoic, but I guess there’s a little stoic in me whether I admit it or not. Moreover, I don’t know how or why, but there’s something Christian about Marcus Aurelius that I like. Reading lines from Meditations has a calming effect.

The first time I read Meditations was years ago. And I have underlined dozens of thought-provoking sentences.

Here are some of them:

• It is a king’s part to do good and be ill spoken of.
• Perfection of character requires this, that you should live each day as though it were your last, and be neither excitable, nor lethargic, nor duplicitous.
• Always live the finest of lives; and the power to do so lies in one’s soul, if one is indifferent to things indifferent.
• I have often marveled at how everyone loves himself above all others, yet places less value on his own opinion of himself than that of everyone else.
• Close is the time when you will forget all things; and close, too, the time when all will forget you.

If you liked these quotes, also check my other blog post on Marcus Aurelius, Don’t Forget that You’ll Be Forgotten.