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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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94 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

own view <strong>of</strong> good and bad has altered, you will<br />

find charity for his mistake come easier.<br />

27 Do not imagine yourself <strong>to</strong> have what you<br />

have not ;<br />

but take full account <strong>of</strong> the excellences<br />

which you do possess, and in gratitude remember<br />

how you would hanker after them, if you had<br />

them not. At the same time take care that in<br />

thus hugging them, you do not get in<strong>to</strong> the habit<br />

<strong>of</strong> prizing them so much, that without them you<br />

would be perturbed.<br />

28 Withdraw in<strong>to</strong> yourself. By nature our reason-<br />

ing Inner Self finds self-contentment in just<br />

dealing and the calm which follows in its train.<br />

29 Efface impression. Check the pulls <strong>of</strong> impulse.<br />

Circumscribe time <strong>to</strong> the present. Recognise all<br />

that befalls, either yourself, or another. Divide<br />

and analyse each material thing in<strong>to</strong> cause and<br />

matter. Realise your last hour. Let the wrong<br />

remain with him, with whom it first originated.<br />

30 Keep thought intent on what is said ; enter with<br />

your mind in<strong>to</strong> what is done and what is doing it.<br />

31 Be your brightness that <strong>of</strong> simplicity and<br />

self-respect,<br />

and <strong>of</strong> indifference <strong>to</strong> all that is not<br />

virtue or vice. Love mankind. Walk with God.<br />

"All things by law" saith the sage. Yes!

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