Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 12.28 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.28
To those who ask, Where hast thou seen the gods or how dost thou comprehend that they exist and so worshipest them? I answer, in the first place, they may be seen even with the eyes; in the second place, neither have I seen even my own soul and yet I honour it. Thus then with respect to the gods, from what I constantly experience of their power, from this I comprehend that they exist and I venerate them.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.28, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/12.28
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA defence of belief in the gods: they cannot be seen directly, but neither can your own soul, which you still honour, and their existence is inferred from experiencing their power in the world. It is a point about religious belief rather than practical conduct.
Older wording
- “venerate”
- — deeply respect or worship
Themes and situations
- Nature and the cosmos
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