Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 3.5 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.5
Labour not unwillingly, nor without regard to the common interest, nor without due consideration, nor with distraction; nor let studied ornament set off thy thoughts, and be not either a man of many words, or busy about too many things. And further, let the deity which is in thee be the guardian of a living being, manly and of ripe age, and engaged in matter political, and a Roman, and a ruler, who has taken his post like a man waiting for the signal which summons him from life, and ready to go, having need neither of oath nor of any man’s testimony. Be cheerful also, and seek not external help nor the tranquility which others give. A man then must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.5, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/3.5
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWork willingly, thoughtfully and for the common good, without distraction, fancy language or wasted words. Hold your post steadily, needing no one to vouch for you, stay cheerful, and rely on your own steadiness rather than on help or comfort from others.
Older wording
- “studied ornament”
- — deliberate fanciness in speech or writing
- “matter political”
- — public affairs
Themes and situations
- Duty and roles
- Self-discipline and habit
- Peace of mind
- Courage
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