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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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v TO HIMSELF 65<br />

<strong>to</strong> every man for his controller and governor <strong>to</strong><br />

wit, his mind and reason.<br />

Do you get angry at rank armpits ? or 28<br />

at foul breath ? What would be the good ?<br />

Mouth, armpits are what they are, and being so,<br />

the given effluvia must result.<br />

'<br />

Yes, but nature<br />

has given man reason, man can comprehend and<br />

' '<br />

understand what <strong>of</strong>fends !<br />

! Very good<br />

Ergo<br />

moral reason <strong>to</strong><br />

you <strong>to</strong>o have reason ; use your<br />

move his ; show him his error, admonish him. If<br />

he attends, you will amend him ; no need for<br />

anger you are not a ranter, or a whore.'<br />

You can live here on earth, as you think <strong>to</strong> 29<br />

live after your departure hence. If others disallow,<br />

then indeed it is time <strong>to</strong> quit ; yet even so, not<br />

as one aggrieved. The cabin smokes so I take<br />

leave <strong>of</strong> it. Why make ado ? But so long as<br />

there is no such notice <strong>to</strong> quit, I remain free,<br />

and none will hinder me from doing what I will ;<br />

that is, <strong>to</strong> conform <strong>to</strong> the nature <strong>of</strong> a reasonable<br />

social being.<br />

The mind <strong>of</strong> the universe is social. For see, 30<br />

it has made the lower for sake <strong>of</strong> the higher ; and<br />

combines the higher in a mutual harmony. See<br />

how it gives its mandate, secures co-ordination,

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