Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy.
“No carelessness in your actions. No confusion in your words. No imprecision in your thoughts.”
Hays translation
Be not careless in deeds, nor confused in words, nor rambling in thought.
VIII, 51
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VIII
VII, 9
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VII
“The controlling Intelligence understands its own nature, and what it does, and whereon it works.”
VI, 5
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VI
IX, 28
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IX
Source: Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book II, 14
IX, 39
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IX
The last phrase is quoted in J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey as "It loved to happen".
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book X, 21
Original: (el) ῾Ἐρᾷ μὲν ὄμβρου γαῖα, ἐρᾷ δὲ ὁ σεμνὸς αἰθήρ,᾿ ἐρᾷ δὲ ὁ κόσμος ποιῆσαι ὃ ἂν μέλλῃ γίνεσθαι. λέγω οὖν τῷ κόσμῳ ὅτι σοὶ συνερῶ. μήτι δὲ οὕτω κἀκεῖνο λέγεται, ὅτι: φιλεῖ τοῦτο γίνεσθαι;
“If thou canst see sharp, look and judge wisely, says the philosopher.”
VIII, 38
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VIII
Source: Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VII, 3
“Give thyself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around.”
II, 7
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book II
“Blot out vain pomp; check impulse; quench appetite; keep reason under its own control.”
IX, 7
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IX
VIII, 20
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VIII
XI, 23
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book XI
“That which comes after ever conforms to that which has gone before.”
IV, 45
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IV
“Search men's governing principles, and consider the wise, what they shun and what they cleave to.”
IV, 38
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IV
X, 33
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book X
“It is satisfaction to a man to do the proper works of a man.”
VIII, 26
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book VIII
