Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 6.50 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.50
Let us try to persuade them [men]. But act even against their will, when the principles of justice lead that way. If however any man by using force stands in thy way, betake thyself to contentment and tranquility, and at the same time employ the hindrance towards the exercise of some other virtue; and remember that thy attempt was with a reservation, that thou didst not desire to do impossibilities. What then didst thou desire?—Some such effort as this.—But thou attainest thy object, if the things to which thou wast moved are accomplished.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.50, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/6.50
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesTry persuasion first, but when justice requires it, act even if people object. If someone blocks you by force, turn to calm and use the obstacle to practise a different virtue, remembering that your aim was always conditional and never promised the impossible. What you truly wanted was the effort itself, and you have achieved that.
Older wording
- “betake thyself”
- — go or retreat to
- “reservation”
- — a built-in condition, such as fate permitting
- “hindrance”
- — obstacle
Themes and situations
- What is in our control
- Adversity and hardship
- Justice and fairness
- Peace of mind
- Conflict at work
- A career setback
- Failure and mistakes
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