Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

v MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS cxxiii
The virtues sought, the vices eschewed, in range, in
treatment, and in distribution of emphasis, presuppose
the position of authority. Throughout, men are regarded
as recipients, rather than dispensers of kindnesses ;
duties to equals, and duties to inferiors monopolise the
field ; all coarser and more flagrant forms of vice, or
actions that could be called criminal, are merely named
as objects of repulsion. The moral distractions and
perturbations
which he dreads are those which beset
power and place and privilege, to disturb serenity of
soul. The regards are fixed on 'sins of respectability,'
on indolence, impatience, discourtesy, officiousness, 1 and
on such more delicate forms of moral delinquency as self-
absorption in the press of current duties, 2 as want of
moral nerve and allowance of morbid self-distrusts, 3 as
uncertainty of purpose, frivolity, and aimlessness 4 of life,
or as the intellectual indolence which rushes to hasty
conclusions and leaves us at the mercy of unwarranted
impressions
or desires. The treatment of virtues is no
less characteristic and discriminating. Beside the solid
virtues and charities incumbent on the ruler, are set the
social graces which adorn the gentleman consideration,
candour, modest, attentive and intelligent perception,
5
tact and address in conversation ; and the compass of
morality
is extended to such refinements as cheerfulness
in leadership, 6 belief in friends' affection, 7 wise husbandry
and just apportionment 8 of powers, careful selection
1
ii. I ; iii.
5.
2
j I2
3
v. 5.
4
i. 15 ; ii. 7, 16, 17 ; vii. 4 ; xi. 21.
5
i. 10 vi. ; 53 ; vii. 4, 30 ; viii. 22, 30 ; xi. 13, 18 (9).
6 7 8
iii. 5.
i. 14.
iii. n ; iv. 32; vii. 3 ; viii. 29, 43.