Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered.
The remark sits among Marcus’s many reminders that fame is brief and the world is always changing. A line earlier he advises willingly giving oneself up to Clotho, the Fate who spins the thread of life.
Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee. While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.
How much trouble he avoids who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only to what he does himself, that it may be just and pure.
If it is not right, do not do it: if it is not true, do not say it.
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp, / The Man’s the gowd for a’ that.