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.