Marcus Aurelius

121 - 180 Roman Empire

Marcus Aurelius, the emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 AD. He’s best known for his Meditations, a remarkable book that captures the essence of stoic philosophy, and is the equal of the Tao te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, Plato’s Republic, and other classic texts that struggle to establish the principles of ethical behavior.

“I see the same ceaseless chasing after vanity and pride that drove my people mad with power. I see the same exaltation in others’ suffering that made our coliseums roar with bloodlust. I see the same insistence on putting personal gain before common good that brought down the many with the few.”