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.

182 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

wrong, is like one who would not have the fig-tree<br />

bear juice in her figs, or infants squall, or the<br />

horse neigh, or anything else that is in the order<br />

<strong>of</strong> things. What else can result, his bent being<br />

what it is ? If it aggrieves you, amend it.<br />

17 If it is not your duty, do not do it : if it is not<br />

true, do not say it.<br />

is Be it your endeavour always <strong>to</strong> look at the<br />

whole, and see what the actual thing is that pro-<br />

duces the impression, and resolve it by analysis<br />

in<strong>to</strong> cause, matter, tendency,<br />

within which it must cease <strong>to</strong> exist.<br />

and duration <strong>of</strong> time<br />

19 It is time <strong>to</strong> recognise that you have within<br />

you something higher and more divine than that<br />

which produces the affections <strong>of</strong> sense, or just<br />

pulls the strings within. How is it with my<br />

understanding, at this moment ? fear ? suspicion ?<br />

desire ? or what ?<br />

20 First, do nothing at random, or unpurposed.<br />

Secondly,<br />

direct all action <strong>to</strong> some social end.<br />

21 A little while and your place will know you<br />

no more : so <strong>to</strong>o with everything you now see,<br />

and every one with whom you live. All things<br />

change and pass and perish, that others may<br />

succeed.

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

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!