One of the world's most famous and influential books, Meditations, by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180), incorporates the Stoic precepts he used to cope with his life as a warrior and administrator of an empire. Ascending to the imperial throne in AD 161, Aurelius found his reign beset by natural disasters and war. In response to these events, he set down a series of private reflections, outlining a philosophy of commitment to virtue above pleasure and tranquility above happiness. >Wisdom from Marcus Aurelius "Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind." "Look within. Let neither the peculiar quality of anything nor its value escape you." "Receive wealth or prosperity without arrogance and be ready to let it go." "Revere that which is best in the universe, and this is that which makes use of all things and directs all things. And in like manner also revere that which is best in yourself.