Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 1.9 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 1.9
From Sextus, a benevolent disposition, and the example of a family governed in a fatherly manner, and the idea of living conformably to nature; and gravity without affectation, and to look carefully after the interests of friends, and to tolerate ignorant persons, and those who form opinions without consideration: he had the power of readily accommodating himself to all, so that intercourse with him was more agreeable than any flattery; and at the same time he was most highly venerated by those who associated with him: and he had the faculty both of discovering and ordering, in an intelligent and methodical way, the principles necessary for life; and he never showed anger or any other passion, but was entirely free from passion, and also most affectionate; and he could express approbation without noisy display, and he possessed much knowledge without ostentation.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 1.9, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/1.9
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA teacher showed him warmth without flattery, patience with thoughtless people, care for friends, and a life lived in line with nature. He never lost his temper or showed any strong passion, yet remained affectionate and quietly learned.
Older wording
- “conformably to nature”
- — in line with nature and reason
- “approbation”
- — approval
- “ostentation”
- — showing off
Themes and situations
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Anger
- Virtue and character
- Friendship
- Being angry with someone
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