Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 6.20 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.20
In the gymnastic exercises suppose that a man has torn thee with his nails, and by dashing against thy head has inflicted a wound. Well, we neither show any signs of vexation, nor are we offended, nor do we suspect him afterwards as a treacherous fellow; and yet we are on our guard against him, not however as an enemy, nor yet with suspicion, but we quietly get out of his way. Something like this let thy behaviour be in all the other parts of life; let us overlook many things in those who are like antagonists in the gymnasium. For it is in our power, as I said, to get out of the way, and to have no suspicion nor hatred.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.20, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/6.20
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesTreat harm from other people the way athletes treat a scratch from a sparring partner: no resentment and no lingering suspicion, just a sensible step out of their way. Overlook a great deal in others, since avoiding them is in your power while hatred and distrust are optional.
Older wording
- “antagonists”
- — opponents or sparring partners
- “gymnastic exercises”
- — athletic training and contests such as wrestling
- “treacherous”
- — disloyal and deceitful
Themes and situations
- Anger
- Insult and criticism
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Justice and fairness
- Conflict at work
- Being angry with someone
- Betrayal
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