Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

vi TO HIMSELF 83
they did, and the consequent
results I am bound
to welcome and acquiesce in. If indeed they
take no thought for anything at all an impious
creed, then let us have done with sacrifice and
prayer and oaths, and all other observances by
which we own the presence and the nearness of
the gods. But if after all they take no thought
for anything to do with us, then it is in my own
power to take thought for myself; and what I
have to consider is my own interest ; and the
true interest of everything is to conform to its
own constitution and nature ; and my nature
owns reason and social obligation ; socially, as
Antoninus, my city and country is Rome, as a
man, the world. These are the societies, whose
advantage can alone be good
to me.
All that befalls the individual is for the good 45
of the whole. That might suffice. But looking
closer you will perceive the general rule, that
what is good for one man is good for others too.
But '
good '
or *
interest '
wider in range than things indifferent.
must be regarded as
As in the amphitheatre or other places of 46
amusement the monotony of tedious repetitions
makes the spectacle pall, so is it with the experi-