Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 10.32 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.32
Let it not be in any man’s power to say truly of thee that thou art not simple or that thou are not good; but let him be a liar whoever shall think anything of this kind about thee; and this is altogether in thy power. For who is he that shall hinder thee from being good and simple? Do thou only determine to live no longer, unless thou shalt be such. For neither does reason allow thee to live, if thou art not such.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.32, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/10.32
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesMake it impossible for anyone to say truthfully that you are not honest or good, because being good and plain in your dealings is entirely in your power and nothing can stop you. The passage presses the point to the extreme of saying life is not worth living without it.
Older wording
- “simple”
- — straightforward and sincere, without pretence
Themes and situations
- Virtue and character
- Reputation and others' opinions
- What is in our control
- Self-discipline and habit