Marcus Aurelius · Meditations
Meditations, Book V
15 passages of this book in Stoïque, each with its reference.
Book V opens with the reluctance to rise: ‘I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist’ (Meditations, V, 1), and with the little plants, the little birds, the ants, the spiders, the bees, each working at its part of the universe. Three men who have done a service are compared, the third being like a vine which has produced grapes and seeks nothing more (V, 6). A prayer of the Athenians, ‘Rain, rain, O dear Zeus’, gives the model of how to pray, or not to pray at all (V, 7). Chapter 8 is the long comparison between what Aesculapius prescribes to a patient and what the nature of the universe prescribes to a man.
Then the shorter chapters: ‘the soul is dyed by the thoughts’ (Meditations, V, 16); nothing happens to any man which he is not formed by nature to bear (Meditations, V, 18); ‘Live with the gods’ (V, 27); the man whose armpits stink and the anger he provokes (V, 28); soon ashes or a skeleton, ‘either a name or not even a name’ (V, 33). The book ends on the old man who, when he went away, asked back his foster-child’s top, remembering that it was a top (V, 36).
Passages of this book in the app
In the morning, when you get up unwillingly, keep this thought at hand: I am rising to the work of a human being. Why be dissatisfied, if I am going to do what I exist for and was brought into the world for? Or was I made for this, to lie under the covers and keep warm?
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 1
after Long, 1862
Hold every word and deed that accords with nature to be worthy of you, and let no one's blame or talk turn you aside. If a thing is good to do or to say, do not judge it beneath you.
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 3
after Long, 1862
Your mind takes the character of your habitual thoughts, for thoughts dye the soul.
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 16
after Long, 1862
Nothing befalls anyone that nature has not fitted him to endure.
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 18
after Long, 1862
Obstacles may hinder what I do, but not my intention or my disposition, which can act with reserve and adapt. The mind turns whatever hinders its activity into a help: what hinders the act comes to further it, and what blocks the road carries us along it.
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 20
after Long, 1862
How easy it is to repel and to wipe away every impression which is troublesome or unsuitable, and immediately to be in all tranquillity.
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 2
after Long, 1862
About what am I now employing my own soul? On every occasion I must ask myself this question, and inquire, What have I now in this part of me which they call the ruling principle?
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 11
after Long, 1862
To seek what is impossible is madness: and it is impossible that the bad should not do something of this kind.
— MARCUS AURELIUS · MEDITATIONS, V, 17
after Long, 1862
The book in numbers
- Chapters in Long’s 1862 edition
- 36
- Passages of this book in the app
- 15
- Passages of Marcus Aurelius in the app
- 166
- Editions cited on this page
- George Long, 1862
Chapters of this book in the app
Each reference names the book and the chapter, the same way the app prints it under the passage.
Quotes checked against this book
The 15 passages of Book V and the 151 other passages by Marcus Aurelius are free in Stoïque, each with its reference, on the Home Screen and the Lock Screen.