Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 1.12 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 1.12
From Alexander the Platonic, not frequently nor without necessity to say to anyone, or to write in a letter, that I have no leisure; nor continually to excuse the neglect of duties required by our relation to those with whom we live, by alleging urgent occupations.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 1.12, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/1.12
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesDo not keep telling people you are too busy, and do not use urgent business as an excuse for neglecting the people you owe attention to. Being busy is rarely a good enough reason to let down friends and family.
Older wording
- “leisure”
- — free time
- “alleging”
- — claiming as an excuse
Themes and situations
- Time and the present
- Duty and roles
- Friendship
- Trouble with a friend
- Burnout and overwork
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