Meditations — Marcus Aurelius
p. 172more things, or rather all things which come into existence in that which is the one and all, which we call Cosmos, exist in it at the same time. 26. If any man should propose to thee the question, how the name Antoninus is written, wouldst thou with a straining of the voice utter each letter? What then if they grow angry, wilt thou be angry too ? Wilt thou not go on with composure and number every letter?
Just so then in this life also remember that every duty is made up of certain parts. These it is thy duty to observe, and without being disturbed or showing anger towards those who are angry with thee to go on thy way and finish that which is set before thee. 27. How cruel it is not to allow men to strive after the things which appear to them to be suitable to their nature and profitable !
And yet in a manner thou dost not allow them to do this, when thou art vexed because they do wrong. For they are certainly moved towards things because they suppose them to be suitable to their nature and profitable to them. — But it is not so. — Teach them then, and show them without being angry. 28.
Death is a cessation of the impressions through the senses, and of the pulling of the strings which move the appetites, and of the discursive movements of the thoughts, and of the service to the flesh (ii. 12).
p. 17329. It is a shame for the soul to be first to give way in this life, when thy body does not give way. 30. Take care that thou art not made into a Caesar, that thou art not dyed with this dye ; for such things happen. Keep thyself then simple, good, pure, serious, free from affectation, a friend of justice, a worshipper of the gods, kind, affectionate, strenuous in all proper acts.
Strive to continue to be such as philosophy wished to make thee. Reverence the gods, and help men. Short is life. There is only one fruit of this terrene life, — a pious disposition and social acts. Do everything as a disciple of Antoninus.
Remember his constancy in every act which was conformable to reason, and his evenness in all things, and his piety, and the serenity of his countenance, and his sweetness, and his disregard of empty fame, and his efforts to understand things; and how he would never let anything pass without having first most carefully examined it and clearly understood it ; and how he bore with those who blamed him unjustly without blaming them in return ; how he did nothing in a hurry ; and how he listened not to calumnies, and how exact an examiner of manners and actions he was ; and not given to reproach people, nor timid, nor suspicious, nor a sophist ; and with how little he was satisfied, such as lodging, bed, dress, food, servants; and how laborious and patient; and p. 174how he was able on account of his sparing diet to hold cut to the evening, not even requiring to relieve himself by any evacuations except at the usual hour ; and his firmness and uniformity in his friendships ; and how he tolerated freedom of speech in those who opposed his opinions; and the pleasure that he had when any man showed him anything better; and how religious he was without superstition.
Imitate all this, that thou mayest have as good a conscience, when thv last hour comes, as he had (i. 16). 31. Return to thy sober senses and call thyself back ; and when thou hast roused thyself from sleep and hast perceived that they were only dreams which troubled thee, now in thy waking hours look at these [the things about thee] as thou didst look at those [the dreams]. 32. I consist of a little body and a soul.
Now to this little body all things are indifferent, for it is not able to perceive differences. But to the understanding those things only are indifferent which are not the works of its own activity. But whatever things are the works of its own activity, all these are in its power.
And of these however only those which are done with reference to the present ; for as to the future and the past activities of the mind, even these are for the present indifferent. 33. Neither the labor which the hand does nor
172 MEDITATIONS. more things, or rather all things which come into existence in that which is the one and all, which we call Cosmos, exist in it at the same time. 26. If any man should propose to you the question, how the name Antoninus is written, would you with a straining of the voice utter each letter? What then if they grow angry, will you be angry too ? Wilt you not go on with composure and number every letter? Just so then in this life also remember that every duty is made up of certain parts. These it is your duty to observe, and without being disturbed or showing anger towards those who are angry with you to go on your way and finish that which is set before you. 27. How cruel it is not to allow men to strive after the things which appear to them to be suitable to their nature and profitable ! And yet in a manner you do not allow them to do this, when you are vexed because they do wrong. For they are certainly moved towards things because they suppose them to be suitable to their nature and profitable to them. — But it is not so. — Teach them then, and show them without being angry. 28. Death is a cessation of the impressions through the senses, and of the pulling of the strings which move the appetites, and of the discursive movements of the thoughts, and of the service to the flesh (ii. 12).
MABCUS AUBELIUS ANTONINUS. 173 29. It is a shame for the soul to be first to give way in this life, when your body does not give way. 30. Take care that you are not made into a Caesar, that you are not dyed with this dye ; for such things happen. Keep yourself then simple, good, pure, serious, free from affectation, a friend of justice, a worshipper of the gods, kind, affectionate, strenuous in all proper acts. Strive to continue to be such as philosophy wished to make you. Reverence the gods, and help men. Short is life. There is only one fruit of this terrene life, — a pious disposition and social acts. Do everything as a disciple of Antoninus. Remember his constancy in every act which was conformable to reason, and his evenness in all things, and his piety, and the serenity of his countenance, and his sweetness, and his disregard of empty fame, and his efforts to understand things; and how he would never let anything pass without having first most carefully examined it and clearly understood it ; and how he bore with those who blamed him unjustly without blaming them in return ; how he did nothing in a hurry ; and how he listened not to calumnies, and how exact an examiner of manners and actions he was ; and not given to reproach people, nor timid, nor suspicious, nor a sophist ; and with how little he was satisfied, such as lodging, bed, dress, food, servants; and how laborious and patient; and 174 MEDITATIONS. how he was able on account of his sparing diet to hold cut to the evening, not even requiring to relieve himself by any evacuations except at the usual hour ; and his firmness and uniformity in his friendships ; and how he tolerated freedom of speech in those who opposed his opinions; and the pleasure that he had when any man showed him anything better; and how religious he was without superstition. Imitate all this, that you may have as good a conscience, when thv last hour comes, as he had (i. 16). 31. Return to your sober senses and call yourself back ; and when you have roused yourself from sleep and have perceived that they were only dreams which troubled you, now in your waking hours look at these [the things about you] as you did look at those [the dreams]. 32. I consist of a little body and a soul. Now to this little body all things are indifferent, for it is not able to perceive differences. But to the understanding those things only are indifferent which are not the works of its own activity. But whatever things are the works of its own activity, all these are in its power. And of these however only those which are done with reference to the present ; for as to the future and the past activities of the mind, even these are for the present indifferent. 33. Neither the labor which the hand does nor
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