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Marcus Aurelius on fatherhood, character, and how to live

14 sourced quotes from Marcus Aurelius, each with the original work, the year, and links to a primary or scholarly source you can check yourself. Selected for what they say to a man raising children.

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
Meditations, Book 10, §16, c. 170–180 AD
“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I am…”
Meditations, Book 5, §1, c. 170–180 AD
“Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee. While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.”
Meditations, Book IV, c. 170 AD
“To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved and the raging of the sea falls still around it.”
Meditations, Book IV, Section 49 (Gregory Hays trans.)
“In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present—I am rising to the work of a human being.”
Meditations, Book V, c. 170 AD
“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.”
Meditations, Book V, Section 16 (Gregory Hays trans.)
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Meditations, Book V, Section 20 (Gregory Hays trans.)
“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,…”
Meditations, Book V, Section 9 (Gregory Hays trans.)
“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.”
Meditations, Book VI, Section 6
“No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be good.”
Meditations, Book VII, Section 15 (Gregory Hays trans.)
“Upon every action that thou art about, put this question to thyself; How will this when it is done agree with me? Shall I have no occasion to repent…”
Meditations, Book VIII.2, c. 175 AD
“No longer talk at all about the kind of man a good man ought to be, but be such.”
Meditations, Book X, c. 170 AD
“I for my part will be kind and loving unto all, and even unto him that hates me... ready to show his error, ingenuously and meekly.”
Meditations, Book XI.12, c. 175 AD
“If it be not fitting, do it not. If it be not true, speak it not.”
Meditations, Book XII.13, c. 175 AD

The right words for exactly where you are right now.

DadVice matches wisdom like this to the real situations of fatherhood — the hard conversation, the long night, the moment you do not know what to say. Every quote is sourced. No motivational filler.

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Works quoted here: Meditations, Book 10, §16, Meditations, Book 5, §1, Meditations, Book IV, Meditations, Book IV, Section 49 (Gregory Hays trans.), Meditations, Book V, Meditations, Book V, Section 16 (Gregory Hays trans.), Meditations, Book V, Section 20 (Gregory Hays trans.), Meditations, Book V, Section 9 (Gregory Hays trans.), Meditations, Book VI, Section 6, Meditations, Book VII, Section 15 (Gregory Hays trans.), Meditations, Book VIII.2, Meditations, Book X, Meditations, Book XI.12, Meditations, Book XII.13.