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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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vii TO HIMSELF 89<br />

what is opportune and serviceable for the common<br />

fellowship. For all I do, whether alone or with<br />

another's help, should aim solely at what promotes<br />

<strong>of</strong> all.<br />

the service and harmony<br />

How many, after choruses <strong>of</strong> praise,<br />

dropped in<strong>to</strong> oblivion ;<br />

have 6<br />

how many, who swelled the<br />

chorus, have long since disappeared !<br />

Do not be ashamed <strong>of</strong> being helped. It is 7<br />

incumbent upon you <strong>to</strong> do your appointed work,<br />

like a soldier in the breach. What if you are lame<br />

and cannot scale the battlement alone, but can<br />

with another's help ?<br />

Let not the future perturb you. You will face 8<br />

it, if so be, with the same reason which is yours <strong>to</strong><br />

meet the present.<br />

All things intertwine one with another, in a 9<br />

holy bond : scarce one thing is disconnected from<br />

another. In due co-ordination they combine for<br />

one and the same order. For the world-order<br />

is one made out <strong>of</strong> all things, and god<br />

is one<br />

pervading all, and being is one, and law is one,<br />

even the common reason <strong>of</strong> all beings possessed <strong>of</strong><br />

mind, and truth is one : seeing that truth is the<br />

one perfecting <strong>of</strong> beings one in kind and endowed<br />

with the same reason.

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