“ Man is made for action, not for idleness or pleasure. ”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (c. 170 - 180). copy citation
| Author | Marcus Aurelius |
|---|---|
| Source | Meditations |
| Topic | idleness action |
| Date | c. 170 - 180 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by George Long |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/15877/15877-h/15877-h.htm |
Context
“[A] (vii. 11) . That which is done contrary to reason is also an act contrary to nature, to the whole nature, though it is certainly conformable to some part of man's nature, or it could not be done. Man is made for action, not for idleness or pleasure. As plants and animals do the uses of their nature, so man must do his (v. 1) .
[A] This is what Juvenal means when he says (xiv. 321) ,—
"Nunquam aliud Natura aliud Sapientia dicit."
Man must also live conformably to the universal nature, conformably to the nature of all things of which he is one;”
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