Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

i TO HIMSELF n
my own fault, and comes of not heeding stedfastly
the reminders, I may almost say
the dictates of
the gods. Thanks to the gods, my physical
strength has stood as it has, the strain imposed :
thanks to them, I kept
clear both of Benedicta
and Theodotus, and came safe out of later loves.
Though often vexed with Rusticus,
I never went
to extremes that I might have repented. Though
my mother was destined to die young, at least
her latest years were spent with me. Whenever
I wanted to help a case of poverty or other need,
I was never told that I had no funds for the
purpose ; while I have never found myself similarly
obliged to accept charity
from another. Thanks
too for such a wife, so submissive, so affectionate,
so simple : for abundance of good tutors for my
children : for help vouchsafed in dreams, more
particularly for relief from bloodspitting and
dizziness : and for the Caietan's response '
That
depends on you.' Thanks too that, in spite of
my ardour for philosophy, I did not fall into the
hands of any sophist, or sit poring over essays
or syllogisms, or become engrossed in scientific
speculation. All this is by the help of the gods
and destiny.
Among the Quadi, by tJie Gran.