Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 7.75 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.75
The nature of the All moved to make the universe. But now either everything that takes place comes by way of consequence or continuity; or even the chief things towards which the ruling power of the universe directs its own movement are governed by no rational principle. If this is remembered it will make thee more tranquil in many things.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.75, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/7.75
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesThe universe either runs on an unbroken chain of cause and effect or its main workings follow no rational plan. Whichever is true, remembering that you cannot know will make you calmer about many things.
Older wording
- “the All”
- — the universe as a whole
- “consequence or continuity”
- — an unbroken chain of cause and effect
Themes and situations
- Nature and the cosmos
- Acceptance and fate
- Peace of mind
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