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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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iv TO HIMSELF 49<br />

falls when it is ripe, blessing the branch that bare it<br />

and giving thanks <strong>to</strong> the tree which gave it life.<br />

Be like the headland, on which the billows dash 49<br />

themselves continually ; but it stands fast, till<br />

about its base the boiling breakers are lulled <strong>to</strong> rest.<br />

Say you, ' How unfortunate for me that this should<br />

'<br />

have ? happened Nay rather, ' How fortunate,<br />

that in spite <strong>of</strong> this, I own no pang, uncrushed by<br />

'<br />

the present, unterrified at the future ! The thing<br />

might have happened <strong>to</strong> any one, but not every<br />

one could have endured without a pang. Why<br />

think that a misfortune, rather than this a good<br />

fortune ? Can you apply<br />

the term misfortune<br />

at all <strong>to</strong> that which is not a frustration <strong>of</strong> men's<br />

nature? or can you regard anything as a frustra-<br />

tion <strong>of</strong> his nature, which is not contrary <strong>to</strong> the will<br />

<strong>of</strong> that nature ? Think rather You have learned<br />

the will <strong>of</strong> nature. Can that which has befallen<br />

you possibly prevent you from being just, l<strong>of</strong>ty,<br />

temperate, discerning, circumspect, truthful, self-<br />

respecting, free, and all else in which man's nature<br />

finds its full reward ? Remember then henceforth<br />

in every case where you are tempted <strong>to</strong> repine, <strong>to</strong><br />

apply this principle not, '<br />

tune,' but * To<br />

The thing is a misfor-<br />

bear it bravely is good fortune.'<br />

E

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