“ what to most men is an ambition or a dream, to him was a round of weary tasks which nothing but the stern sense of duty could carry him through. ”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (c. 170 - 180). copy citation
| Author | Marcus Aurelius |
|---|---|
| Source | Meditations |
| Topic | ambition duty |
| Date | c. 170 - 180 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Meric Casaubon |
| Weblink | https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius_Antoninus_-_His_Meditatio... |
Context
“In camp before the Quadi he dates the first book of his Meditations, and shows how he could retire within himself amid the coarse clangour of arms. The pomps and glories which he despised were all his; what to most men is an ambition or a dream, to him was a round of weary tasks which nothing but the stern sense of duty could carry him through. And he did his work well. His wars were slow and tedious, but successful. With a statesman's wisdom he foresaw the danger to Rome of the barbarian hordes from the north, and took measures to meet it.”
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