Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 8.51 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.51
Neither in thy actions be sluggish nor in thy conversation without method, nor wandering in thy thoughts, nor let there be in thy soul inward contention nor external effusion, nor in life be so busy as to have no leisure. Suppose that men kill thee, cut thee in pieces, curse thee. What then can these things do to prevent thy mind from remaining pure, wise, sober, just? For instance, if a man should stand by a limpid pure spring, and curse it, the spring never ceases sending up potable water; and if he should cast clay into it or filth, it will speedily disperse them and wash them out, and will not be at all polluted. How then shalt thou possess a perpetual fountain and not a mere well? By forming thyself hourly to freedom conjoined with contentment, simplicity and modesty.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.51, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/8.51
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesBe energetic in what you do, orderly in what you say and focused in thought, without inner turmoil or scattered outbursts, and do not be so busy you have no breathing room. Even if people curse you or worse, they cannot stop your mind from staying clear and fair, like a clean spring that keeps flowing and washes away any dirt thrown in, so keep shaping yourself each hour toward freedom, contentment, simplicity and modesty.
Older wording
- “effusion”
- — spilling out, an outburst
- “limpid”
- — clear
- “potable”
- — drinkable
Themes and situations
- Peace of mind
- Resilience and endurance
- Self-discipline and habit
- Simplicity and frugality
- Being criticised or insulted
- Burnout and overwork
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