“When thou art above measure angry, bethink thee how momentary is man’s life.”
- April 26, 121 – March 17, 180
- Roman Empire
- Roman Emperor
- Influenced by Stoic philosophy, he wrote “Meditations” and practiced ideal governance as a philosophical leader, and was later praised as one of the Five Good Emperors.
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Quote
“When thou art above measure angry, bethink thee how momentary is man’s life.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marcus Aurelius urges us to put our anger into perspective by remembering the transience of life. When we are consumed by anger, we often lose sight of the bigger picture, reacting as if the issue at hand is of eternal consequence. However, Aurelius reminds us that human life is fleeting, and that our anger—while intense in the moment—will soon fade, just as life itself does. This Stoic insight helps to calm the mind and encourage a more rational and measured response to frustration or injustice, aligning with the Stoic belief in controlling our emotions rather than being controlled by them.
Aurelius, who ruled during a time of war and unrest, understood the challenges of managing intense emotions, especially when confronted with external pressures. He knew that yielding to anger not only undermines self-control but also causes harm in the long run. The awareness that life is brief encourages us to avoid the wasteful expenditure of energy on emotions like anger, which ultimately distract us from living according to our true values. In modern life, this principle remains valuable, especially in moments of conflict or stress. By recalling the shortness of life, we can step back from intense emotions and choose more constructive and peaceful responses.
In practical terms, when feeling angry, taking a moment to reflect on the temporary nature of our struggles and the limited time we have in life can help to diffuse the intensity of the emotion. For example, before reacting angrily to a situation, pausing to think about how quickly the moment will pass and how little it will matter in the grand scheme of things can lead to more thoughtful actions. By remembering the brevity of life, we can shift our focus to what truly matters, cultivating patience and perspective.
