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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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TO HIMSELF 63<br />

hindrance <strong>to</strong> action in<strong>to</strong> furtherance <strong>of</strong> its prime<br />

aim ; so that checks <strong>to</strong> action actually advance it,<br />

and obstacles in the way promote progress.<br />

In the universe honour that which is highest ; 21<br />

and the highest is that which all else subserves,<br />

and which overrules all. So <strong>to</strong>o within yourself<br />

honour the highest ; there <strong>to</strong>o it is the same in<br />

kind : it is that within you which all other powers<br />

subserve, and by which your life is disposed.<br />

What is not injurious <strong>to</strong> the city, cannot injure 22<br />

the citizen. Whenever you feel the sense <strong>of</strong><br />

injury, apply this criterion If the city<br />

is not<br />

injured, neither am I myself. If the city is<br />

injured, do not fly in<strong>to</strong> a rage with the author <strong>of</strong><br />

the injury ; ask, what misconception prompted it ?<br />

Bethink thee <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>of</strong> the swiftness with which 23<br />

things that are or come <strong>to</strong> be sweep past and<br />

disappear. Being is a river in continual flow ; its<br />

action for ever changing, its causes infinite in<br />

variation. Hardly a thing stands fast, even within<br />

your own purview. Infinity past<br />

and <strong>to</strong> come is<br />

a fathomless gulf, in<strong>to</strong> which vanish all things.<br />

How foolish then in such a world <strong>to</strong> pant, <strong>to</strong><br />

strain, <strong>to</strong> fume, as though time and troubling<br />

were for long !

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