--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For any particular thing, ask: What is it…" description: "\"For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? What is its nature?\" — Marcus Aurelius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/marcus-aurelius-139_asks_for-any-particular-thing-ask-what-is-it_3045799.jpg" --- # For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? What… ![“For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? What is its nature?” quote by Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/marcus-aurelius-139_asks_for-any-particular-thing-ask-what-is-it_3045799.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/marcus-aurelius-139_asks_for-any-particular-thing-ask-what-is-it_3045799.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/marcus-aurelius-139_asks_for-any-particular-thing-ask-what-is-it_3045799.jpg) > “For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? What is its nature?” [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote urges inquiry into the intrinsic nature of things, beyond appearances. **In simple terms:** Ask about the true nature of anything. Key Takeaway Seek deeper understanding of reality. Themes philosophy inquiry ontology Mood contemplative philosophical Type classical reflective When to use this quote - academic study - personal meditation - scientific research Key Concepts essential nature critical thinking self reflection Questions to Reflect On - What is the essence of your current challenge? - How does this inquiry affect your actions? A Different Perspective Can be abstract for everyday decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ask Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-nature-4681471/) [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Lambs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lambs/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular/) [Particular Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular-thing-5042920/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Thing Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-ask-376615/) ## Related quotes > [You may command Nature to the extent only in which you are willing to obey her. You cannot intelligently obey that which you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-russell/you-may-command-nature-to-the-extent-only-in-which-you-are-willing-to-2/) [Walter Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-russell/) > [“I ask of nature that it gives me life, unfiltered, show me what I am and every variation of me. That I may separate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dew-platt/i-ask-of-nature-that-it-gives-me-life-unfiltered-show-me-what-i-am/) [Dew Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dew-platt/) > [No aphorism is more frequently repeated in connection with field trials, than that we must ask Nature few questions, or, ideally, one question, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-fisher/no-aphorism-is-more-frequently-repeated-in-connection-with-field/) [Ronald Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-fisher/) > [One thing leads to another? Not always. Sometimes one thing leads to the same thing. Ask an addict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/one-thing-leads-to-another-not-always-sometimes-one-thing-leads-to/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [One thing that I do ask myself when I'm in the creative process is, 'Does the world need this?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-zorn/one-thing-that-i-do-ask-myself-when-i-m-in-the-creative-process-is/) [John Zorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-zorn/) > [“Love seems like such a simple thing to ask for. Such a basic right. It takes no skill, no experience, no money, no education,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-harbison/love-seems-like-such-a-simple-thing-to-ask-for-such-a-basic-right-it/) [Beth Harbison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-harbison/) > [What's the best part of a movie? I love to know what my name is. It's just so fun. That's the first thing I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-fanning/what-s-the-best-part-of-a-movie-i-love-to-know-what-my-name-is-it-s/) [Elle Fanning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-fanning/) > [“The Jewish Question? Thats a hell of a thing to ask!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-jewish-question-thats-a-hell-of-a-thing-to-ask/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [“Isn’t there one thing I can ask of you that you won’t disregard?. . . . You could just reply, "Yes, Baron," and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-golden/isn-t-there-one-thing-i-can-ask-of-you-that-you-won-t-disregard-you/) [Arthur Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-golden/) > [...a miracles is a reasonable thing to ask for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/a-miracles-is-a-reasonable-thing-to-ask-for/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Today's the day you can ask me for anything you want? That fancy new dress, those dashing heels, that jazzy phone or those tickets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/today-s-the-day-you-can-ask-me-for-anything-you-want-that-fancy-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only thing I ask in a boy is to be himself. I love boys who can be themselves.. Because if they are being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine/the-only-thing-i-ask-in-a-boy-is-to-be-himself-i-love-boys-who-can-be/) [Jasmine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine/) > [“The worst thing you could ever ask is "What could possibly go wrong?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-morgan/the-worst-thing-you-could-ever-ask-is-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/) [Faye Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-morgan/) > [When you ask for help listen. It's one thing to ask the question and it's another thing to listen to the answer. Many people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/when-you-ask-for-help-listen-it-s-one-thing-to-ask-the-question-and/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [I ask one thing only: I ask for the right to hope, to suffer as I do. But if even that cannot be, command…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-ask-one-thing-only-i-ask-for-the-right-to-hope-to-suffer-as-i-do/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More by Marcus Aurelius > [A man should be upright, not kept upright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/a-man-should-be-upright-not-kept-upright/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Everything is mere opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/everything-is-mere-opinion/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [If any man has done wrong, the harm is his own. But perhaps he has not done wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-any-man-has-done-wrong-the-harm-is-his-own-but-perhaps-he-has-not/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Pray look upon the plants and birds, the ants, spiders, and bees, and you will see them all exerting their nature, and busy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/pray-look-upon-the-plants-and-birds-the-ants-spiders-and-bees-and-you/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“We should remark the grace and fascination that there is even in the incidentals of Nature's processes.. When a loaf of bread,. for instance,.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-should-remark-the-grace-and-fascination-that-there-is-even-in-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [My true Self is free. I cannot be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/my-true-self-is-free-i-cannot-be-contained/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/the-best-revenge-is-to-be-unlike-him-who-performed-the-injury/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Nothing befalls any man which he is not fitted to endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/nothing-befalls-any-man-which-he-is-not-fitted-to-endure/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Adorn thyself with simplicity and with indifference towards the things which lie between virtue and vice. Love mankind. Follow God. The poet says that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/adorn-thyself-with-simplicity-and-with-indifference-towards-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people's actions, and see what they would be at, as often as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/let-it-be-your-constant-method-to-look-into-the-design-of-people-s/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“Our life is a warfare, and a mere pilgrimage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/our-life-is-a-warfare-and-a-mere-pilgrimage/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“If therefore it be a thing external that causes thy grief, know, that it is not that properly that doth cause it, but thine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-therefore-it-be-a-thing-external-that-causes-thy-grief-know-that/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Frightened of change? But what can exist without it? What's closer to nature's heart? Can you take a hot bath and leave the firewood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/frightened-of-change-but-what-can-exist-without-it-what-s-closer-to/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [We are too much accustomed to attribute to a single cause that which is the product of several, and the majority of our controversies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-are-too-much-accustomed-to-attribute-to-a-single-cause-that-which/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself, "I have to go to work - as a human being. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/at-dawn-when-you-have-trouble-getting-out-of-bed-tell-yourself-i-have/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) [Explore all 1,138 Marcus Aurelius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) [Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For any particular thing, ask: What is it in itself? 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