Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 9.31 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 9.31
Let there be freedom from perturbations with respect to the things which come from the external cause; and let there be justice in the things done by virtue of the internal cause, that is, let there be movement and action terminating in this, in social acts, for this is according to thy nature.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 9.31, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/9.31
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesAim for two things: stay unshaken by whatever comes at you from outside, and act fairly in everything that starts from you, directing your actions toward serving others, which is what suits your nature.
Older wording
- “perturbations”
- — emotional disturbances
- “external cause”
- — events and things outside your control
Themes and situations
- Peace of mind
- Justice and fairness
- What is in our control
- Community and our duty to others
- Anxiety about the future
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