Marcus Aurelius, Emperor who remained famous for his humanity, culture and wisdom
Many maxims of Marcus Aurelius have become famous and reflect the greatness of their author.
If you have seen Gladiator , the blockbuster played by Russel Crowe, you will probably have fallen in love, as well as with the brave protagonist Massimo Decimo Meridio, also of the old Roman emperor whom he loves as a father.
In every circumstance he appears wise, balanced and human, a fact more unique than rare in the disheartening spectacle offered for centuries by the first citizens of Rome, a pack of madmen thirsty for blood and power.
Well, this recent cinematographic representation of Marcus Aurelius is very close to the real character as it has been handed down to us by the sources.
The Emperor was a man sincerely lover of peace and harmony between peoples although forced by fate to fight numerous wars; he was cultured, refined, interested in philosophy and a writer himself, the most enlightened and noble spirit of ancient Rome according to most scholars.
Is there perhaps something more and better to know a figure from the past of the same words as him?
Here are some famous maxims taken from the works of the Emperor, phrases that immediately strike for the depth of thought and the uncommon moral stature of the author.
Some famous maxims of Marcus Aurelius
“We are in the world for mutual aid, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like upper and lower teeth in a row; consequently, any action of mutual contrast is against nature ".
“How vast is the advantage of those who do not pay attention to what their neighbor says, to what he does, to what he thinks! It is necessary to think about what we do, so that our work is just, holy and in conformity with goodness. Not to observe the customs of others; run straight on your way, without deviating ”.
"Excellent defense system:do not make yourself like the aggressor".
"It is the heritage of kings to do well and to be the victim of a bad name".
"The rational being, if it acts according to nature, acts according to reason".
"Something that does not benefit the swarm nor does it do the bee".
It is unlikely, if not impossible, to find an equally high and wise intellect within the Roman world.