Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 6.48 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.48
When thou wishest to delight thyself, think of the virtues of those who live with thee; for instance, the activity of one, and the modesty of another, and the liberality of a third, and some other good quality of a fourth. For nothing delights so much as the examples of the virtues, when they are exhibited in the morals of those who live with us and present themselves in abundance, as far as is possible. Wherefore we must keep them before us.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.48, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/6.48
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen you want to cheer yourself up, think about the good qualities of the people around you, such as one person's energy, another's modesty, another's generosity. Nothing lifts the spirits like examples of virtue in those you live with, so keep them in mind.
Older wording
- “liberality”
- — generosity
- “morals”
- — character and conduct
Themes and situations
- Gratitude
- Friendship
- Virtue and character
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Conflict at work
- Family conflict
- Trouble with a friend
Quote cards
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