Meditations, Book 10, Section 34

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Your children are like these leaves. So are the people who praise you seriously, who cheer your speeches with their usual shouts of "Well said!" and speak highly of you. And so are those who curse you, who quietly mock and criticize you behind your back — they are all just leaves. Even those who come after, who will remember the names of famous men after death — they too are only leaves. This is how it works with all earthly things. Spring comes and they grow. The wind blows and they fall. Then others grow from the same source to take their place. Everything lasts only a short time. So why chase after these things or run from them as if they would last forever? Soon your eyes will close. And whoever carries you to your grave will himself be mourned by another before long.

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Of these leaves then thy children are. And they also that applaud thee so gravely, or, that applaud thy speeches, with that their usual acclamation, ἀξιοπίστως, O wisely spoken I and speak well of thee, as on the other side, they that stick not to curse thee, they that privately and secretly dispraise and deride thee, they also are but leaves. And they also that shall follow, in whose memories the names of men famous after death, is preserved, they are but leaves neither. For even so is it of all these worldly things. Their spring comes, and they are put forth. Then blows the wind, and they go down. And then in lieu of them grow others out of the wood or common matter of all things, like unto them. But, to endure but for a while, is common unto all. Why then shouldest thou so earnestly either seek after these things, or fly from them, as though they should endure for ever? Yet a little while, and thine eyes will be closed up, and for him that carries thee to thy grave shall another mourn within a while after.