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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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6 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

<strong>of</strong> goodness undeviating and even incorruptible.<br />

No one could ever have felt him patronising, yet<br />

no one could have borne <strong>to</strong> account himself his<br />

better ;<br />

so gracious was his manner.<br />

16 From my father I learned gentleness, and<br />

unshaken adherence <strong>to</strong> judgments deliberately<br />

formed ; indifference <strong>to</strong> outward show and com-<br />

pliment ; industry and assiduity ; an ear open <strong>to</strong><br />

all suggestions for the public weal ; recognition<br />

inflexibly proportioned <strong>to</strong> desert ; the tact that<br />

knew where severity was called for, or the reverse ;<br />

renunciation <strong>of</strong> all boy favourites ; disinterested-<br />

ness <strong>of</strong> purpose. His friends had free leave <strong>to</strong><br />

be absent from the imperial table, or <strong>to</strong> dis-<br />

pense themselves from attendance in his suite,<br />

and his sentiments were unchanged<br />

<strong>to</strong>wards those<br />

who were detained on various calls. At the<br />

council - board his investigations<br />

ing and persistent,<br />

were search-<br />

where others would have been<br />

content with ready-made impressions and neglected<br />

strict inquiry.<br />

either caprice or extravagance.<br />

up <strong>to</strong> the mark and bright.<br />

Stedfast in friendships, he avoided<br />

He seemed always<br />

His forethought was<br />

remarkable, and his unostentatious prevision for<br />

the smallest trifles. Personal applause or flattery

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