Meditations 12.9

In the application of thy principles thou must be like the pancratiast, not like the gladiator; for the gladiator lets fall the sword which he uses and is killed; but the other always has his hand, and needs to do nothing else than use it.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.9, translated by George Long

In our use of principles of conduct we should imitate the pancratiast not the gladiator. For the latter lays aside the blade which he uses, and takes it up again, but the other always has his hand and needs only to clench it.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.9, translated by C. R. Haines