05.04.2013 Views

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

vii TO HIMSELF 89<br />

what is opportune and serviceable for the common<br />

fellowship. For all I do, whether alone or with<br />

another's help, should aim solely at what promotes<br />

<strong>of</strong> all.<br />

the service and harmony<br />

How many, after choruses <strong>of</strong> praise,<br />

dropped in<strong>to</strong> oblivion ;<br />

have 6<br />

how many, who swelled the<br />

chorus, have long since disappeared !<br />

Do not be ashamed <strong>of</strong> being helped. It is 7<br />

incumbent upon you <strong>to</strong> do your appointed work,<br />

like a soldier in the breach. What if you are lame<br />

and cannot scale the battlement alone, but can<br />

with another's help ?<br />

Let not the future perturb you. You will face 8<br />

it, if so be, with the same reason which is yours <strong>to</strong><br />

meet the present.<br />

All things intertwine one with another, in a 9<br />

holy bond : scarce one thing is disconnected from<br />

another. In due co-ordination they combine for<br />

one and the same order. For the world-order<br />

is one made out <strong>of</strong> all things, and god<br />

is one<br />

pervading all, and being is one, and law is one,<br />

even the common reason <strong>of</strong> all beings possessed <strong>of</strong><br />

mind, and truth is one : seeing that truth is the<br />

one perfecting <strong>of</strong> beings one in kind and endowed<br />

with the same reason.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!