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Full Idea
As physicians have always their instruments and knives ready for cases which suddenly require their skill, so should you have principles ready for the understanding of things divine and human.
Gist of Idea
A philosopher should have principles ready for understanding, like a surgeon with instruments
Source
Marcus Aurelius (The Meditations (To Himself) [c.170], 3.13)
Book Ref
'Essential Works of Stoicism', ed/tr. Hadas,Moses [Bantam 1961], p.121
A Reaction
Nice. Philosophy is the training ground where wisdom and good living are made possible, but it cannot be a substitute for living.
| 3065 | Humans are naturally made for co-operation [Aurelius] |
| 3066 | Nothing is evil which is according to nature [Aurelius] |
| 3067 | A philosopher should have principles ready for understanding, like a surgeon with instruments [Aurelius] |
| 3069 | The art of life is more like the wrestler's than the dancer's [Aurelius] |
| 3071 | Justice has no virtue opposed to it, but pleasure has temperance opposed to it [Aurelius] |
| 3072 | Everything is changing, including yourself and the whole universe [Aurelius] |