Quotes

"The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing." — Marcus Aurelius

The Positivity Collective Updated: April 19, 2026 2 min read

What This Quote Means

Success comes to those who persist when others give up.

About Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, considered one of the last good emperors of Rome.

Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) was a practitioner of Stoic philosophy who wrote his personal reflections while governing the Roman Empire during a period of constant warfare and plague.

How to Apply This Wisdom

One more step

When you feel like quitting, commit to just one more small effort.

Track progress

Keep a record of your progress to see how far you have come.

Learn from setbacks

Extract a lesson from every failure and apply it going forward.

Reflection Questions

  • What goal am I tempted to give up on that deserves more effort?
  • How have I grown through persistence in the past?
  • What keeps me going when I feel like quitting?
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