Meditations 11.29

Neither in writing nor in reading wilt thou be able to lay down rules for others before thou shalt have first learned to obey rules thyself. Much more is this so in life.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.29, translated by George Long

In reading and writing thou must learn first to follow instruction before thou canst give it. Much more is this true of life.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.29, translated by C. R. Haines