Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

cxxii INTRODUCTION SECT.
taking
counsel with himself how to '
choose the highest
and hold it fast.' 1
The cardinal virtues of Stoicism Justice, Truth,
Wisdom, and Courage 2
are applied to the estate of
monarchy. Justice does not wield the sword, but comes
pressing the plea of the weak and the obligation of
the strong 'forbearance is one part of justice,' 3 and
recognising
the tie of kind will not overlook the allow-
ance due to ignorance ; and a still more imperial note
animates a reflection such as this :
' We
are not true to
justice if we strive for things secondary, or if we allow
ourselves to be imposed upon, or draw hasty and
fallible conclusions.' 4 So again, Truth 5 is never figured
as protest or contradiction, but as that simplicity of
bearing, that openness of mind, that singleness of word
and act, that quiet undeviating *
pursuit of the straight
course,' which power and place make doubly difficult.
Courage and Wisdom are viewed from the same out-
look, as of one *
strong and patient and provoked
every day.'
Herein lies the salient contrast between Epictetus
the freedman and Marcus Aurelius the Emperor.
How could Epictetus, reviewing life, have numbered
among its blessings '
that he had never been called upon
to borrow from another,' 6 or have regarded it as the
worst ignominy '
1 iii. 6;
to receive favours he could not return '? 7
v. 21.
3
iv. 3 ; cf. iii. II ix. 22.
;
2 Enumerated iii. 6.
4 xi. 10.
5 Among many passages, cf. esp. i. n ; iii. 4, 16 ; iv. 18, 51 ;
v - 3 > vi- 3 I ix> l > x - 1 3 > xn - 2 9"
6 i. 17.
7 xi. 25.