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What Would Stoics Do

Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE

Meditations 12.17 — Marcus Aurelius

Translation by George Long (1862)

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17

If it is not right, do not do it: if it is not true, do not say it. For let thy efforts be—
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17 · tr. George Long (1862)Read in context →

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Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17, tr. George Long (1862)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/12.17

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences

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In plain English

AI-written notes

A simple rule of conduct: do not do what is wrong and do not say what is false. Test your actions by whether they are right and your words by whether they are true. The text breaks off mid-sentence at the end.

Themes and situations

  • Virtue and character
  • Justice and fairness
  • Speech and silence
  • An ethical dilemma

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Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17, tr. George Long (1862)