Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 11.11 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.11
If the things do not come to thee, the pursuits and avoidances of which disturb thee, still in a manner thou goest to them. Let then thy judgement about them be at rest, and they will remain quiet, and thou wilt not be seen either pursuing or avoiding.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.11, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/11.11
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesEven when the things you chase or dread never come near you, your mind still runs toward them. Quieten your judgement about them and they will stay quiet too, and you will no longer be seen chasing or fleeing anything.
Older wording
- “pursuits and avoidances”
- — the things you chase after and run away from
Themes and situations
- Desire and craving
- Fear and anxiety
- Judgements and impressions
- Peace of mind
- Anxiety about the future
- Breaking a bad habit
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.