Three acts can be the whole play.

The source

"Three acts can be the whole play." Marcus Aurelius said it in Meditations 12.36. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

"ἐν μέντοι τῷ βίῳ τὰ τρία ὅλον τὸ δρᾶμά ἐστι."

Original Greek, Meditations 12.36. Greek: Leopold 1908 (Teubner) via Perseus.

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 "Three acts can be the whole play."?

Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD). Source: Meditations 12.36.

What is the original Greek?

ἐν μέντοι τῷ βίῳ τὰ τρία ὅλον τὸ δρᾶμά ἐστι. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.