Life is wrestling, not ballet. Stay braced.

The source

"Life is wrestling, not ballet. Stay braced." Marcus Aurelius said it in Meditations 7.61. Translated by George Long, 1862.

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

George Long, 1862, Meditations 7.61.

Who said it

Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD). Roman emperor who wrote private notes to himself on a military campaign. We know them as the Meditations.

Questions

Who said "Life is wrestling, not ballet. Stay braced."?

Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD). Source: Meditations 7.61.

What is the original wording?

The art of life is more like the wrestler's art than the dancer's ... it should stand ready and firm to meet onsets which are sudden and unexpected (George Long, 1862). Translated by George Long, 1862.

Is "Life is wrestling, not ballet. Stay braced." on a shirt?

Yes. It is printed on our tees, from $46, with free US shipping.