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Meditations · Book IV · 43Meditations

Book IV · 43

Time is like a river made up of the events which happen, and a violent stream; for as soon as a thing has been seen, it is carried away, and another comes in its place, and this will be carried away too.

As a river consisting of all things that come into being, aye, a rushing torrent, is Time. No sooner is a thing sighted than it is carried past, and lo, another is passing, and it too will be carried away.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations IV.43. Translated by George Long (1862). The Stoic Library.