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 Reference
'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.