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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 75<br />

yet themselves set s<strong>to</strong>re on the good word <strong>of</strong><br />

posterity, whom they have never seen nor will see.<br />

It comes near <strong>to</strong> being vexed at not having the<br />

good word <strong>of</strong> your<br />

ances<strong>to</strong>rs !<br />

Because your own strength is unequal <strong>to</strong> the 19<br />

task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers<br />

<strong>of</strong> man ; but if anything is within the powers and<br />

province <strong>of</strong> man, believe that it is within your<br />

own compass also.<br />

In the gymnasium, when some one scratches 20<br />

us with his nails or in lunging hits our head, we<br />

do not protest, or take <strong>of</strong>fence, or harbour rooted<br />

suspicions <strong>of</strong> design ; no, we just keep our eye<br />

upon him, not with hostility or suspicion, but with<br />

good-tempered<br />

avoidance. So <strong>to</strong>o with the rest<br />

<strong>of</strong> life ; let us shut our eyes <strong>to</strong> much in those who<br />

are as it were tussling at our side. It is open<br />

<strong>to</strong> us <strong>to</strong> avoid ;<br />

we need not suspect or quarrel.<br />

If any one can convince and show me that 21<br />

some view or action <strong>of</strong> mine is wrong, I will cheer-<br />

fully change : I seek the truth, which never yet<br />

hurt any man. What hurts is persisting in self-<br />

deceit and ignorance.<br />

I do my own duty ; all things<br />

else distract me 22<br />

not ; for they are either things without breath, or

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