Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 7.16 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.16
The ruling faculty does not disturb itself; I mean, does not frighten itself or cause itself pain. But if anyone else can frighten or pain it, let him do so. For the faculty itself will not by its own opinion turn itself into such ways. Let the body itself take care, if it can, that is suffer nothing, and let it speak, if it suffers. But the soul itself, that which is subject to fear, to pain, which has completely the power of forming an opinion about these things, will suffer nothing, for it will never deviate into such a judgement. The leading principle in itself wants nothing, unless it makes a want for itself; and therefore it is both free from perturbation and unimpeded, if it does not disturb and impede itself.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.16, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/7.16
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesYour reasoning mind never has to frighten or hurt itself, since only its own opinions can do that. Let the body deal with its pains, but your mind need not suffer along with it, and it lacks nothing unless it invents a need, so it stays free of turmoil as long as it does not get in its own way.
Older wording
- “ruling faculty”
- — the reasoning part of the mind in charge of your judgements
- “perturbation”
- — turmoil or agitation
- “unimpeded”
- — unobstructed
Themes and situations
- What is in our control
- Emotions and the passions
- Pleasure and pain
- Peace of mind
- Fear and anxiety
- Illness or diagnosis
- Anxiety about the future
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