Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

How many things do you observe as a simple student of nature, then let slip by without using them? You should combine action and thought in everything. This way you can handle what needs doing carefully and completely. But you also keep the thinking part active. Don't lose the joy that comes from truly understanding how things work. Or let that understanding itself bring you enough pleasure and happiness, even when action gets blocked or delayed.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 9 Book 10 · 20 of 57
What Matters Most Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

How many things be there, which when as a mere naturalist, thou hast barely considered of according to their nature, thou doest let pass without any further use? Whereas thou shouldst in all things so join action and contemplation, that thou mightest both at the same time attend all present occasions, to perform everything duly and carefully and yet so intend the contemplative part too, that no part of that delight and pleasure, which the contemplative knowledge of everything according to its true nature doth of itself afford, might be lost. Or, that the true and contemnplative knowledge of everything according to its own nature, might of itself, (action being subject to many lets and impediments) afford unto thee sufficient pleasure and happiness.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 9 Book 10 · 20 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Petty distractions at home, wars abroad: sometimes fear, sometimes numbness, or lazy stupor. This is your daily slavery. Little by little, if you don't pay attention, those sacred principles will fade from your mind.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 9 Book 10 · 19 of 57
What Matters Most Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Toys and fooleries at home, wars abroad: sometimes terror, sometimes torpor, or stupid sloth: this is thy daily slavery. By little and little, if thou doest not better look to it, those sacred dogmata will be blotted out of thy mind.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 9 Book 10 · 19 of 57
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support