“Whatever act of thine that has no reference”
IX, 23
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IX
Context: As thou thyself art a component part of a social system, so let every act of thine be a component part of social life. Whatever act of thine that has no reference, either immediately or remotely, to a social end, this tears asunder thy life, and does not allow it to be one, and it is of the nature of a mutiny, just as when in a popular assembly a man acting by himself stands apart from the general agreement.
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Marcus Aurelius 400
Emperor of Ancient Rome 121–180Related quotes
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