Long ago Quote by Marcus Aurelius
““Thou sayest, Men cannot admire the sharpness of thy wits.- Be it so: but there are many other things of which thou canst not say, I am not formed for them by nature. Show those qualities then which are altogether in thy power, sincerity, gravity, endurance of labour, aversion to pleasure, contentment with thy portion and with few things, benevolence, frankness, no love of superfluity, freedom from trifling magnanimity. Dost thou not see how many qualities thou art immediately able to exhibit, in which there is no excuse of natural incapacity and unfitness, and yet thou still remainest voluntarily below the mark? Or art thou compelled through being defectively furnished by nature to murmur, and to be stingy, and to flatter, and to find fault with thy poor body, and to try to please men, and to make great display, and to be so restless in thy mind? No, by the gods: but thou mightest have been delivered from these things long ago. Only if in truth thou canst be charged with being rather slow and dull of comprehension, thou must exert thyself about this also, not neglecting it nor yet taking pleasure in thy dulness.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, 180 AD
The passage urges self‑examination, urging to develop virtues like sincerity, endurance, and modesty rather than relying on wit alone.
In simple terms: Focus on character, not just intellect.
Cultivate inner virtues.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- relationship building
- overcoming complacency
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Which virtues do you neglect?
- How can you balance wit with humility?
Virtues require effort and may conflict with societal expectations.