Meditations 7.61

The art of life is more like the wrestler's art than the dancer's, in respect of this, that it should stand ready and firm to meet onsets which are sudden and unexpected.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.61, translated by George Long

The business of life is more akin to wrestling than dancing, for it requires of us to stand ready and unshakable against every assault however unforeseen.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.61, translated by C. R. Haines