John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
8996 Marus Aurelius 121-180 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 8996 |
| AUTHOR: | Marcus Aurelius (121–180) |
| QUOTATION: | Thou wilt find rest from vain fancies if thou doest every act in life as though it were thy last. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Meditations. ii. 5. |
| Note 1. See Publius Syrus, Quotation 65. A similar saying falls from his lips at another time: “Let every act and speech and purpose be framed as though this moment thou mightest take thy leave of life.” [back] |