“The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
What this quote means
This quote celebrates the mind's ability to transform obstacles into opportunities. It suggests that what blocks us can become a springboard if we adopt a flexible and creative attitude. It's a philosophy of resilience: instead of seeing difficulties as ends, we can see them as beginnings. It invites perseverance and ingenuity.
How to apply it daily
When faced with an obstacle, ask yourself: 'How can I use this difficulty to move forward?' and implement a creative solution.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Marcus Aurelius?
Our starting point
Discovering Stoicism through short reflections
Meditations
The most direct way to encounter the themes behind the quotes: attention, duty, and control over what depends on us.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Reading time
- 4–6 hours, best read slowly
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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More quotes by Marcus Aurelius
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