Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 8.52 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.52
He who does not know what the world is, does not know where he is. And he who does not know for what purpose the world exists, does not know who he is, nor what the world is. But he who has failed in any one of these things could not even say for what purpose he exists himself. What then dost thou think of him who avoids or seeks the praise of those who applaud, of men who know not either where they are or who they are?
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.52, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/8.52
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesIf you do not understand what the world is and why it exists, you do not know where you stand or who you are. So why value or fear the opinions of applauding crowds who do not know where or who they are either?
Themes and situations
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Nature and the cosmos
- Learning and progress
- Judgements and impressions
- Being criticised or insulted
- Handling success
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