Atheism Quote by Marcus Aurelius
“Never value anything as profitable to thyself which shall compel thee to break thy promise, to lose thy self-respect, to hate any man, to suspect, to curse, to act the hypocrite, to desire anything which needs walls and curtains.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Meditations, Marcus Aurelius, c. 180 AD
One should avoid profit‑driven motives that erode integrity, leading to deceit, resentment, and loss of self‑respect.
In simple terms: Profit‑driven motives corrupt character and relationships.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize integrity over profit.
Themes
integrity
ethics
self‑respect
honesty
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- business practices
- personal relationships
- political leadership
Key Concepts
Stoicism
moral philosophy
virtue ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern situations test your integrity?
- How can you balance profit and principle?
A Different Perspective
The language is archaic and may be hard to apply today.
