Admission Quote by Marcus Aurelius
“Things themselves cannot touch the soul, not in the least degree, nor have they admission to the soul nor can they turn or move the soul: it turns and moves itself alone and whatever judgment it may think proper to make, such it makes by remaking for itself the things that present themselves to it”
About This Quote
Source Book: Meditations, Marcus Aurelius, c. 180 AD
The soul is autonomous; external things cannot affect it directly, only through the soul’s own judgments and reinterpretations.
In simple terms: The soul controls itself, not outside events.
Key Takeaway
Focus on inner perception, not external circumstances.
Themes
self‑control
philosophy
inner freedom
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- stress management
- decision making
- creative work
Key Concepts
Stoicism
autonomy
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you reframe a setback to empower your soul?
- What internal judgments shape your reality?
A Different Perspective
External events still influence emotions despite mental framing.
![“...[I]f at the time of its release the soul is tainted and impure, because it has always associated with the body and cared for it and loved it, and has been so beguiled by the body and its passions and pleasures that nothing seems real to it but those physical things which can be touched and seen…” quote by Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f05/socrates-405_addiction_i-f-at-the-time-of-its-release-the-soul_2261225.jpg)
