Be brief. Marcus Aurelius 4.51
Marcus advises himself to avoid
drawing things out. Important work should be done promptly, not left
to fester.
Ἐπὶ τὴν σύντομον
ἀεὶ τρέχε· σύντομος δὲ ἡ κατὰ φύσιν,
ὥστε κατὰ τὸ ὑγιέστατον πᾶν λέγειν
καὶ πράσσειν. ἀπαλλάσσει γὰρ ἡ τοιαύτη
πρόθεσις κόπων καὶ στρατείας καὶ πάσης
οἰκονομίας καὶ κομψείας. (†)
Run always toward brevity. The
most natural expression is quick, cut short in the moment so that
every word and action achieve the healthiest form available. This
sort of approach will free you from toils and plots, as well as every
sort of scheme and affectation.
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(†) I have followed the
punctuation of Leopold over that of Farquharsson, but I read
στρατείας (plotting, campaigning) with the latter as
opposed to στραγγείας (delaying,
cf. στραγγεύομαι), not because it must be right, but
because I find it more interesting.