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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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52 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

nature's allowance : while in action, far from that,<br />

you s<strong>to</strong>p short <strong>of</strong> what is within your power.<br />

You do not truly love yourself; if you did, you<br />

would love your nature, and that nature's will. True<br />

lovers <strong>of</strong> their art grow heart and soul absorbed<br />

in working at it, going unwashed, unfed ; you<br />

honour your nature less than the carver does his<br />

carving, or the dancer his dancing, or the hoarder<br />

his heap, or the vainglorious man his glory.<br />

They, for their darling pursuit, readily forego food<br />

and sleep, <strong>to</strong> advance that upon which they are<br />

bent. To you, does social action seem cheaper<br />

than such things, and worth less devotion ? '<br />

What a solace <strong>to</strong> banish and efface every<br />

tumultuous, unauthorised impression, and straight-<br />

way <strong>to</strong> be lapped<br />

in calm !<br />

Claim your right <strong>to</strong> every word or action that<br />

accords with nature. Do not be distracted by<br />

the consequent criticism or talk, but if a thing<br />

is good <strong>to</strong> be done or said, do not disclaim<br />

your proper right. Other men's self is their own<br />

affair, they follow their own impulse : do<br />

not<br />

you heed them, but keep the straight course,<br />

following your own nature and the nature <strong>of</strong> the<br />

universe ; and the way<br />

<strong>of</strong> both is one.

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