Causes Quote by Marcus Aurelius
“Ifit be a thing external that causes thy grief, know, that it is not that properly that doth cause it, but thine own conceit and opinion concerning the thing: which thou mayest rid thyself of, when thou wilt.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Meditations, c. 180 AD
External events cause grief only if we let our judgments amplify them; true peace comes from adjusting our perceptions.
In simple terms: Grief stems from our opinions, not events.
Shift perspective to reduce suffering.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal counseling
- mindfulness practice
- stress management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What judgments cause you unnecessary pain?
- How can you reframe them?
Changing perception is challenging and requires effort.