--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Think of the universal substance, of…" description: "\"Think of the universal substance, of which thou has a very small portion; and of universal time, of which a short and indivisible interval has been ass..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/marcus-aurelius-139_art_think-of-the-universal-substance-of-whic_1375433.jpg" --- # Think of the universal substance, of which thou has a very… ![“Think of the universal substance, of which thou has a very small portion; and of universal time, of which a short and indivisible interval has been assigned to thee; and of that which is fixed by destiny, and how small a part of it thou art” quote by Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/marcus-aurelius-139_art_think-of-the-universal-substance-of-whic_1375433.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/marcus-aurelius-139_art_think-of-the-universal-substance-of-whic_1375433.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/marcus-aurelius-139_art_think-of-the-universal-substance-of-whic_1375433.jpg) > “Think of the universal substance, of which thou has a very small portion; and of universal time, of which a short and indivisible interval has been assigned to thee; and of that which is fixed by destiny, and how small a part of it thou art” [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. We possess only a tiny fragment of matter, time, and fate, reminding us of our limited agency within the cosmos. **In simple terms:** We are small parts of a vast universe and destiny. Key Takeaway Recognize your limits and act wisely. Themes humility existence destiny Mood reflective serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - time management - ethical decision making Key Concepts Stoicism cosmic perspective finitude Questions to Reflect On - How can you make meaningful choices within limited time? - What does accepting smallness teach about responsibility? A Different Perspective Our influence is constrained by larger forces. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Fixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fixed/) [Portions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/portions/) [Short Indivisible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-indivisible-4748188/) [Small Portion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-portion-887031/) [Substance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/substance/) [Substance Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/substance-thou-4748189/) [Thee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thee/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thou art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-art/) [Thou Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-small-4748190/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Universal Substance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal-substance-1439973/) ## Related quotes > [The universal nature out of the universal substance, as if it were wax, now molds a horse, and when it has broken this up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/the-universal-nature-out-of-the-universal-substance-as-if-it-were-wax/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [God is the universal substance in existing things. 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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 Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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