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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

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vi TO HIMSELF 71<br />

not break tune or rhythm more than you must ;<br />

by thus habitually falling back on self, you will be<br />

more master <strong>of</strong> the harmony.<br />

Had you a stepmother and a mother <strong>to</strong>o, you 12<br />

would be courteous <strong>to</strong> the former, but for com-<br />

panionship would turn continually <strong>to</strong> your mother.<br />

For you the court is one, philosophy the other.<br />

To her then turn and turn again, and find your<br />

refreshment ; for she makes even court life seem<br />

bearable <strong>to</strong> you, and you<br />

in it.<br />

In regarding meats or eatables, you say, So 13<br />

and so is the carcase <strong>of</strong> a fish, or fowl, or pig ; or<br />

again, Falernian is so much extract <strong>of</strong> grape juice ;<br />

the purple robe sheep's wool dyed with juices <strong>of</strong><br />

the shell-fish ; copulation, a mere physical process.<br />

Regards <strong>of</strong> this kind explore<br />

and search the<br />

actual facts, opening your eyes <strong>to</strong> what things<br />

really are. So should you<br />

deal with life as a<br />

whole, and where regards are over-credulous, strip<br />

the facts bare, see through their worthlessness, and<br />

so get rid <strong>of</strong> their vaunted embellishments. Pride<br />

is the arch sophist ; and when you flatter yourself<br />

you are most engrossed in virtuous ends, then are<br />

you most befooled. Remember what Crates says<br />

<strong>of</strong> Xenocrates himself.

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