How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter)
Quote #10
Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretence. (7.69)
This is totally the most quoted bit of the Marcus's work. And why not? It's got that kind of in-your-face frankness that we prize, combined with useful self-help advice. But seriously, Marcus is big on keeping death in mind. In a way, death is the goal of life—all living things tend in that direction, and it's a release from all the cares of the world. Keeping death in mind seems like the definition of morbid, but in this sense, it symbolizes the biggest kinds of catastrophes that can happen to you. Marcus knows that if you can keep on an even emotional keel when thinking about your own death or the death of your loved ones, you've got everything else licked. Classic Stoic move.
Quote #11
Where then is [good] to be found? In doing what man's nature requires. And how is he to do this? By having principles to govern his impulses and actions. What are these principles? Those of good and evil—and the belief that nothing is good for a human being which does not make him just, self-controlled, brave and free: and nothing evil which does not make him the opposite of these. (8.1)
Marcus sums up the purpose of keeping his philosophical principles alive: they provide a framework for him to figure out his purpose in life and how to achieve it. Marcus says here that his purpose is to be a good man, or one who is independent of anything contrary to human nature. It's a broad definition of good and evil, but it works for Marcus, who is primarily interested in becoming more human, according to the intention of the Universe.