Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 12.9 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.9
In the application of thy principles thou must be like the pancratiast, not like the gladiator; for the gladiator lets fall the sword which he uses and is killed; but the other always has his hand, and needs to do nothing else than use it.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.9, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/12.9
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesHold your principles like a fighter's own hand rather than a gladiator's sword. A sword can be dropped, leaving you helpless, but your hand is always with you and ready. Make your philosophy part of you so it is available in any crisis.
Older wording
- “pancratiast”
- — an all-in fighter who wrestles and boxes using only his own body
Themes and situations
- Self-discipline and habit
- Resilience and endurance
- Learning and progress
- Virtue and character
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.