Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 11.9 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.9
As those who try to stand in thy way when thou art proceeding according to right reason, will not be able to turn thee aside from thy proper action, so neither let them drive thee from thy benevolent feelings towards them, but be on thy guard equally in both matters, not only in the matter of steady judgement and action, but also in the matter of gentleness towards those who try to hinder or otherwise trouble thee. For this also is a weakness, to be vexed at them, as well as to be diverted from thy course of action and to give way through fear; for both are equally deserters from their post, the man who does it through fear, and the man who is alienated from him who is by nature a kinsman and a friend.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.9, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/11.9
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen people block or trouble you, stay firm in doing what is right and equally firm in staying kind to them. Being angry at them and giving in to them out of fear are both ways of abandoning your post.
Older wording
- “benevolent”
- — kindly and well-meaning
- “kinsman”
- — a relative, here a fellow human being
Themes and situations
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Courage
- Anger
- Duty and roles
- Conflict at work
- A difficult boss
- Being angry with someone
- An ethical dilemma
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