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
1 62 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK like the Christians', but of a temper rational and grave, and if it is to convince others unostenta- tious. 4 Have I acted unselfishly? Good, I have my reward. Be this your ever-present stay ; and weary not. 5 What is your business ? to be good. How can you succeed in this but by philosophic views, first of Nature, then of man's own constitution ? 6 Tragedy, the first form of drama, drew its lessons from experience, partly as true to the facts of existence, and partly to take the sting, upon the larger stage of life, from things which appeal to the emotions on the stage. For there you see the fulfilment of the just denouement ; and also that there is strength to bear even in the agony of O Cith&ron, Cithczron I l And the dramatists give us words of help, such as the exquisite Though I and both my sons be spurned of God, There is be sure a reason. Or again Fret not at circumstance. 1 The cry of Oedipus the King (Soph. Oed. T. 1391) after the terrible disclosure. For the quotations following, compare vii. 38, 40, 41.
xi TO HIMSELF 163 Or Lives are reaped like ears of corn and the like. After tragedy came the old comedy, reprimanding like a schoolmaster, and in its bluff outspoken way usefully rebuking pride ; somewhat in the style of like deliverances by Diogenes. Next understand the meaning of middle comedy, and finally of the new comedy, noting to what ends it was applied and how it gradually degenerated into mere mimic diversion. That some good things occur even here, every one knows ; but what was the main object and aim of that school of poetry and drama ? Palpably, no condition of life is so well suited 7 for philosophy, as that in which chance puts you. A branch lopped from its neighbour branch, 8 is inevitably lopped also from the main trunk. So too a man, isolated from one of his fellow- beings, is severed from the general fellowship. Another's hand lops the branch ; but it is a man's own act when hatred or estrangement separates him from his neighbour, and he wots not that he thereby cuts himself off from the great world society. But, thanks be to
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1 62 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />
like the Christians', but <strong>of</strong> a temper rational and<br />
grave, and if it is <strong>to</strong> convince others unostenta-<br />
tious.<br />
4 Have I acted unselfishly? Good, I have my<br />
reward. Be this your ever-present stay ; and<br />
weary not.<br />
5 What is your business ? <strong>to</strong> be good. How<br />
can you succeed in this but by philosophic views,<br />
first <strong>of</strong> Nature, then <strong>of</strong> man's own constitution ?<br />
6 Tragedy, the first form <strong>of</strong> drama, drew its<br />
lessons from experience, partly as true <strong>to</strong> the facts<br />
<strong>of</strong> existence, and partly <strong>to</strong> take the sting, upon<br />
the larger stage <strong>of</strong> life, from things which appeal<br />
<strong>to</strong> the emotions on the stage.<br />
For there you see<br />
the fulfilment <strong>of</strong> the just denouement ; and also<br />
that there is strength <strong>to</strong> bear even in the agony <strong>of</strong><br />
O Cith&ron, Cithczron I l And the dramatists give<br />
us words <strong>of</strong> help, such as the exquisite<br />
Though I and both my sons be spurned <strong>of</strong> God,<br />
There is be sure a reason.<br />
Or again<br />
Fret not at circumstance.<br />
1 The cry <strong>of</strong> Oedipus the King (Soph. Oed. T. 1391) after the<br />
terrible disclosure. For the quotations following, compare vii. 38,<br />
40, 41.
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