Marcus Aurelius gets quoted a lot. His notes to himself show a level of wisdom, integrity and humility that are rare finds non only in leaders, but in humans in general. There is a lot to learn from his notes for sure, and I'd recommend reading them. My favourite, however, has to be this one:
‘On those mornings you struggle with getting up, keep this thought in mind – I am awakening to the work of a human being. Why then am I annoyed that I am going to do what I am made for, the very things for which I was put into this world? Or was I made for this, to snuggle under the covers and keep warm? It is so pleasurable. Were you then made for pleasure? In short, to be coddled or to exert yourself?’
Marcus Aurelius, noble man, emperor of Rome, struggling to get the motivation to get out of bed in the morning.
I love it. :)