“The universe is transformation: life is opinion.”
- 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.
table of contents
Quote
“The universe is transformation: life is opinion.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marcus Aurelius highlights two fundamental Stoic ideas: the constant change of the universe and the power of our perspective in shaping our lives. The first part of the quote, “The universe is transformation,” acknowledges the ever-changing nature of the world. Everything in the cosmos is in a constant state of flux, and nothing is permanent. This aligns with the Stoic understanding that we must accept change as a natural and unavoidable part of existence. The second part, “life is opinion,” suggests that our experience of life is shaped by how we perceive it. Opinion here refers to our judgments, thoughts, and interpretations—how we view the world and react to the changes within it.
Aurelius, as a Stoic philosopher, taught that while we cannot control the external world, we have complete power over how we interpret and respond to it. Our opinions, shaped by reason or emotion, determine our inner peace and mental resilience. For example, two people may experience the same external event—such as a setback or failure—but their reactions will differ greatly depending on their mindset. Aurelius reminds us that if we cultivate a rational and virtuous perspective, we can navigate the ever-changing universe with calm and wisdom.
In practical terms, this quote encourages us to recognize that while we cannot control the events that happen in the world, we have the power to shape our thoughts and attitudes toward them. For instance, when faced with adversity or change, instead of viewing it as a misfortune, we can choose to see it as an opportunity for growth or learning. By transforming our perspective, we can transform our experience of life, finding peace in the knowledge that our opinions are what shape our inner world, not the circumstances we face.
