Meditations XII.9

In our use of principles of conduct we should imitate the pancratiast not the gladiator.¹⁹ 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.

• 19.Or, the prize-fighter not the duellist. Some take ἀναιρεῖται to mean ‘is slain.’