Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 4.30 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.30
The one is a philosopher without a tunic, and the other without a book: here is another half naked: Bread I have not, he says, and I abide by reason.—And I do not get the means of living out of my learning, and I abide by my reason.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.30, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/4.30
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA few quick sketches of philosophers who stay loyal to reason despite having no coat, no books, no bread, or no income from their learning. The point is that lacking comforts or a payoff does not excuse abandoning your principles.
Older wording
- “tunic”
- — a basic garment worn under a cloak
Themes and situations
- Simplicity and frugality
- Wealth and poverty
- Resilience and endurance
- Learning and progress
- Losing money
- A career setback
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