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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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20 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

rebellion against nature, whose unity includes the<br />

various natures <strong>of</strong> the* several parts. And again,<br />

secondly, when it estranges itself, or actively<br />

opposes another <strong>to</strong> his hurt, as happens in fits <strong>of</strong><br />

anger. Thirdly, there is self-violence, when it<br />

succumbs <strong>to</strong> pleasure or <strong>to</strong> pain. Fourthly, when<br />

it plays false, by feigned and untrue act or word.<br />

Fifthly, when in action or endeavour it becomes<br />

aimless and works at random and unintelligently,<br />

when even trifles demand reference <strong>to</strong> an end ;<br />

and the end <strong>of</strong> rational beings is, <strong>to</strong> walk as<br />

followers <strong>of</strong> the reason and the ordinance <strong>of</strong> the<br />

city and commonwealth most high.<br />

17 In man's life, time is but a moment ; being,<br />

a flux ; sense is dim ; the material frame corrupt-<br />

ible ; soul, an eddy <strong>of</strong> breath ; fortune a thing<br />

inscrutable, and fame precarious. In brief, things<br />

<strong>of</strong> the body are but a stream that flows, things <strong>of</strong><br />

the soul a dream and vapour ; life, a warfare and<br />

a sojourning ; and after- fame, oblivion. What<br />

then can direct our goings ? One thing and one<br />

alone, philosophy ; which is, <strong>to</strong> keep the deity<br />

within inviolate and free from scathe, superior<br />

<strong>to</strong> pleasures and <strong>to</strong> pains, doing nothing at<br />

random, nothing falsely or disingenuously, and

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