Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 5.31 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.31
How hast thou behaved hitherto to the gods, thy parents, brethren, children, teachers, to those who looked after thy infancy, to thy friends, kinsfolk, to thy slaves? Consider if thou hast hitherto behaved to all in such a way that this may be said of thee: Never has wronged a man in deed or word. And call to recollection both how many things thou hast passed through, and how many things thou hast been able to endure: and that the history of thy life is now complete and thy service is ended: and how many beautiful things thou hast seen: and how many pleasures and pains thou hast despised; and how many things called honourable thou hast spurned; and to how many ill-minded folks thou hast shown a kind disposition.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.31, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/5.31
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesTake stock of how you have treated everyone in your life, from parents and children to friends and those who served you, and ask whether you can honestly say you never wronged anyone. Then remember what you have endured, the beauty you have seen, the pleasures and honours you refused to be ruled by, and the kindness you showed to hostile people.
Older wording
- “brethren”
- — brothers and sisters
- “kinsfolk”
- — relatives
- “spurned”
- — rejected with contempt
Themes and situations
- Virtue and character
- Justice and fairness
- Death and mortality
- Resilience and endurance
- Gratitude
- Getting older
- Searching for meaning
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