Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 7.70 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.70
The gods who are immortal are not vexed because during so long a time they must tolerate continually men such as they are and so many of them bad; and besides this, they also take care of them in all ways. But thou, who art destined to end so soon, art thou wearied of enduring the bad, and this too when thou art one of them?
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.70, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/7.70
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesThe immortal gods put up with an enormous number of flawed people forever, and still look after them. You have only a short life, so being worn out by other people's faults is a poor excuse, especially since you have faults of your own.
Older wording
- “vexed”
- — annoyed or irritated
Themes and situations
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Anger
- Pride and humility
- Community and our duty to others
- Being angry with someone
- Conflict at work
- Everyday irritations
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