Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 8.49 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.49
Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report. Suppose that it has been reported to thee that a certain person speaks ill of thee. This has been reported; but that thou hast been injured, that has not been reported. I see that my child is sick. I do see; but that he is in danger, I do not see. Thus then always abide by the first appearances, and add nothing thyself from within, and then nothing happens to thee. Or rather add something, like a man who knows everything that happens in the world.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.49, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/8.49
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesStick to the bare facts of what you first perceive and do not add your own interpretation. You learn that someone spoke badly of you, but not that you were harmed, and you see your child is ill, but not that the child is in danger. Add nothing and nothing disturbs you, or if you do add something, add the calm perspective of someone who understands how the world works.
Older wording
- “first appearances”
- — your initial impression of what happened
Themes and situations
- Judgements and impressions
- Insult and criticism
- Fear and anxiety
- Emotions and the passions
- Being criticised or insulted
- Anxiety about the future
- Parenting
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