Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 6.11 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.11
When thou hast been compelled by circumstances to be disturbed in a manner, quickly return to thyself and do not continue out of tune longer than the compulsion lasts; for thou wilt have more mastery over the harmony by continually recurring to it.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.11, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/6.11
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesIf events knock you off balance, that is understandable, but return to your composure as quickly as you can and do not stay rattled longer than the situation forces you to. The more often you come back, the better you get at it.
Older wording
- “out of tune”
- — off balance, not in harmony with yourself
Themes and situations
- Emotions and the passions
- Peace of mind
- Self-discipline and habit
- Resilience and endurance
- Being angry with someone
- Anxiety about the future
- Everyday irritations
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