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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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BOOK ii MARCUS ANTONINUS 13<br />

one form <strong>of</strong> thwarting is resentment and estrange-<br />

ment<br />

Flesh, breath, and the Inner Self that is all. 2<br />

Good-bye, my books ! strain after them no more ;<br />

they are not your portion. As in the near<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> death, despise poor<br />

flesh this refuse<br />

<strong>of</strong> blood and bones, this web and tissue <strong>of</strong> nerves<br />

and veins and arteries. Breath <strong>to</strong>o ! what is it ?<br />

a puff <strong>of</strong> wind, never the same, but every moment<br />

exhaling, and again inhaled. Last comes the<br />

Inner Self on that stake all : you<br />

are an old<br />

man ; do not let it be a slave any longer, pulled<br />

puppet -like by self-seeking impulse;<br />

destiny, either chafing at the present,<br />

ing the future.<br />

nor resist<br />

or bemoan-<br />

In the gods' work there is providence every- 3<br />

where. For the action <strong>of</strong> chance is the course <strong>of</strong><br />

nature, or the web and wo<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> the dispositions<br />

<strong>of</strong> providence. From providence flows all ; and<br />

side by side with it is necessity and the advantage<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Universe, <strong>of</strong> which you are a part. To<br />

every part <strong>of</strong> nature that which Nature brings,<br />

and which helps <strong>to</strong>wards its conservation, is good.<br />

The conservation <strong>of</strong> the world-order depends not<br />

only on the changes <strong>of</strong> the elements, but also on

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