Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 4.51 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.51
Always run to the short way; and the short way is the natural: accordingly say and do everything in conformity with the soundest reason. For such a purpose frees a man from trouble, and warfare, and all artifice and ostentatious display.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.51, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/4.51
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesAlways take the direct route, which is the natural one: say and do everything in line with sound reason. Living this way frees you from trouble, conflict, scheming and showing off.
Older wording
- “artifice”
- — trickery, affectation
- “ostentatious display”
- — showing off
Themes and situations
- Simplicity and frugality
- Virtue and character
- Self-discipline and habit
- Peace of mind
- A hard decision
- An ethical dilemma
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