Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 3.15 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.15
They know not how many things are signified by the words stealing, sowing, buying, keeping quiet, seeing what ought to be done; for this is not effected by the eyes, but by another kind of vision.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.15, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/3.15
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesEven ordinary actions like taking, planting, buying, staying silent or noticing what needs doing involve more than meets the eye, because knowing what to do depends on inner judgement rather than physical sight. A cryptic reminder that moral discernment takes understanding, not just looking.
Themes and situations
- Judgements and impressions
- Virtue and character
Quote cards
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