Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 7.31 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.31
Adorn thyself with simplicity and modesty and with indifference towards the things which lie between virtue and vice. Love mankind. Follow God. The poet says that Law rules all. And it is enough to remember that Law rules all.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.31, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/7.31
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesLive with simplicity and modesty, treat things that are neither virtuous nor vicious (such as wealth, status and comfort) as unimportant, care for all people, and follow the rational order of the universe. Remembering that this order governs everything is enough.
Older wording
- “indifference”
- — treating things like wealth, health and fame as neither good nor bad in themselves
- “Law rules all”
- — the rational order that governs the universe
Themes and situations
- Virtue and character
- Simplicity and frugality
- Community and our duty to others
- Acceptance and fate
- Money, status and wanting more
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