Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 10.19 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.19
Consider what men are when they are eating, sleeping, generating, easing themselves and so forth. Then what kind of men they are when they are imperious and arrogant, or angry and scolding from their elevated place. But a short time ago to how many they were slaves and for what things; and after a little time consider in what a condition they will be.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.19, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/10.19
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen someone intimidates you with arrogance, anger or rank, picture them eating, sleeping and going to the toilet like anyone else, remember how recently they were servile to others and to their own wants, and think how soon they will be gone. This takes the sting out of their authority.
Older wording
- “imperious”
- — domineering and overbearing
- “easing themselves”
- — going to the toilet
Themes and situations
- Pride and humility
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Anger
- Leadership and power
- Change and impermanence
- A difficult boss
- Being criticised or insulted
- Conflict at work
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