Stoic quotes for motivation
The Stoics did not wait to feel like it. Marcus’s famous morning line is a note to himself about a bed that was too comfortable. Here is what they say about starting.
Pick a voice with the Gentle / Tough love buttons at the top. Both versions are on this page.
Quotes
In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present,—I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world?
On mornings when he did not want to get up, Marcus reminded himself that human beings are made to do things, not just to stay warm. He allows for rest elsewhere; the point is not to hide in bed from the day.
Remember how long thou hast been putting off these things, and how often thou hast received an opportunity from the gods, and yet dost not use it.
A blunt note Marcus wrote to himself about delay: you have had the chances, and you keep not using them. It is a message to himself, not a lecture for anyone else.
How long will you then still defer thinking yourself worthy of the best things? … You are no longer a youth, but already a full-grown man.
Epictetus to a procrastinator: how much longer will you wait before you take yourself seriously? You are already an adult. Stop waiting for permission.
Hold every hour in your grasp. Lay hold of to-day’s task, and you will not need to depend so much upon to-morrow’s.
Handle today’s task today, and tomorrow will need less of you. Seneca’s answer to a mind that keeps pushing things back.
While we are postponing, life speeds by.
Time slips away while we wait for a better moment to begin.
The fool, with all his other faults, has this also,—he is always getting ready to live.”
Seneca’s dig at “someday” thinking: always getting ready to live and never living.
Be not disgusted, nor discouraged, nor dissatisfied, if thou dost not succeed in doing everything according to right principles, but when thou hast failed, return back again, and be content if the greater part of what thou doest is consistent with man's nature, and love this to which thou returnest.
If you fail, do not throw out the whole plan. Come back, accept that you will get most things right and some wrong, and love the effort you are returning to.
In plain words
Gentle
Not feeling like it is not a character flaw. Sometimes it is tiredness, fear of doing it badly, or a task that is simply too big. Shrink it. What is the five-minute version? Start there and let the feeling catch up. And if the flatness has lasted weeks and covers everything, tell a doctor. That is not a motivation problem.
Tough love
Motivation is a result, not a starting condition. Marcus writes to himself because he had the same problem. Pick the one thing, set a timer for ten minutes, put your phone in another room, and begin. You can stop after ten. You usually will not. Stop negotiating with yourself in bed.
The 10-minute start
- Write the five-minute version of the task.
- Phone in another room, timer for ten minutes, begin.
- Tell someone what you will have done by tonight.
Flash cards to repeat
Flip each card, then use “Repeat mode” to cycle through them, or “Read aloud” to hear them. Hearing or reading the same few lines again and again is the point.
- Remember how long thou hast been putting off these things, and how often thou hast received an opportunity from the gods, and yet dost not use it.Marcus Aurelius, Meditations II.4
Gentle: You have had chances before. This is another one, and it is small.
Tough love: You have been putting this off. Today is the day you stop.
- While we are postponing, life speeds by.Seneca, Letter 1, §2 (On saving time)
Gentle: What is the smallest piece you could finish today?
Tough love: Every day you wait is a day gone. Start.
- How long will you then still defer thinking yourself worthy of the best things? … You are no longer a youth, but already a full-grown man.Epictetus, Enchiridion L
Gentle: You are already able to begin. Nobody is going to give you permission.
Tough love: You are a grown adult. Do the thing.
- What is the five-minute version?
Gentle: Do just that. Stopping after is allowed.
Tough love: Do it now. Then decide whether to stop.
- Hold every hour in your grasp. Lay hold of to-day’s task, and you will not need to depend so much upon to-morrow’s.Seneca, Letter 1, §2 (On saving time)
Gentle: Today’s task, today. Tomorrow will need less of you.
Tough love: Finish today’s work today.
Sounds to sit with
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Books for this feeling
- Habits
Atomic Habits
James ClearPractical, small-step ways to start and keep doing the thing you keep putting off.
Find it on Bookshop.org - Modern introduction
A Guide to the Good Life
William B. IrvineA practical, readable introduction to Stoic techniques for ordinary life, written by a philosophy professor.
Find it on Bookshop.org - Modern introduction
The Obstacle Is the Way
Ryan HolidayA popular, story-driven take on turning setbacks into progress. Best read as a pep talk.
Find it on Bookshop.org
Questions
What did Marcus Aurelius say about getting out of bed?
In Meditations V.1 he tells himself that when he rises unwillingly, he is rising to the work of a human being, and asks whether he was made to lie in the bed-clothes keeping warm. He also grants that rest is necessary, and says nature has fixed limits to it.
What if I have no energy at all?
Low energy or a flat mood that lasts more than a couple of weeks can be a medical or mental-health issue, not a discipline problem. Please talk to a doctor. If it feels hopeless, call or text 988 in the US.
Related feelings
This page offers philosophy and reflection, not therapy or medical advice. If you are in crisis or thinking about hurting yourself, call or text 988 (US) or call 911 in an emergency. More help. Quotes are from public-domain translations and are checked against the source. How we verify.