Marcus Aurelius Quotes

The difference between me and people like Murray Rothbard is that, though I want to know what my ideal is, I think I also have to be willing to discuss changes that are less than ideal so long as they point me in that direction.

I want to be progressive without getting both feet off the ground at the same time.

I am a mixture of idealist and realist.

You can't be idealistic in this world and not be crazy.

The acceptance of certain realities doesn't preclude idealism. It can lead to certain breakthroughs.

Intuitive versus analytical? That's a foolish choice. It's foolish, just like trying to choose between being realistic or idealistic. You need both in life.

What I've learned is that life is a balance between idealism and realism.

I'm progressive, and I'm practical.

I'd describe myself as a pragmatist tinged with idealism.

The impatient idealist says: 'Give me a place to stand and I shall move the earth.' But such a place does not exist. We all have to stand on the earth itself and go with her at her pace.

Perfect is unattainable. Better is possible.

Ultimately, every great endeavor consists of many little steps.

People ask me, "Are you right wing or are you left wing?" and I always say, "I'm for the whole bird." A one-winged bird didn't ever get off the ground.

Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather bring about his own ruin than his preservation.

The ideal of perfect Success is an ideal belonging to the same sort of individual as the inventor of Equal Rights of man and Perfectibility.

Take action every day - some small dose at a time.

Taking things not as they ought to be, but as they are, I fear it must be allowed that Macchiavelli will always have more disciples than Jesus.

If I believe in something, I will fight for it, with all I have. But I do not demand all or nothing. I would rather get something than nothing.

Men cannot conceive of a state of things so fair that it cannot be realized.

Start by thinking of the smallest possible action you could take; then, take it. Then, choose the next smallest action, and do that.

Small daily - seemingly insignificant - improvements and innovations lead to staggering achievements over time.

Take great comfort in knowing that ALL great feats are accomplished one small step at a time.

It is easier to make our wishes conform to our means than to make our means conform to our wishes.

Mix idealism with realism and add hard work. This will often bring much more than you could ever hope for.

Small steps can help people make big changes to achieve what they really desire. That wish isn't going to go anywhere unless you do something about it. Every day, just do one thing. At the end of six months, you'll be somewhere.