Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 11.36–37 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.36–37
No man can rob us of our free will. Epictetus also said, A man must discover an art [or rules] with respect to giving his assent; and in respect to his movements he must be careful that they be made with regard to circumstances, that they be consistent with social interests, that they have regard to the value of the object; and as to sensual desire, he should altogether keep away from it; and as to avoidance [aversion] he should not show it with respect to any of the things which are not in our power.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.36–37, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/11.36-37
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesNo one can take away your power to choose how you think and act. Epictetus' threefold training is to test impressions before agreeing to them, to act with care for other people and for what a thing is really worth, and to avoid chasing or fleeing anything that is outside your control.
Older wording
- “assent”
- — agreeing that an impression is true and acting on it
- “avoidance”
- — trying to dodge or push away something you dread
Themes and situations
- What is in our control
- Judgements and impressions
- Self-discipline and habit
- Desire and craving
- Freedom
- Being treated unfairly
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