Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself - College of Stoic Philosophers

vii TO HIMSELF 99
disciplined to circumstance, more charitable to
the oversights of neighbours.
Where an act can be performed in accord- 53
ance with that reason which men share with gods,
have no fear. Where service may be rendered by
action that keeps the even way and tenor of your
appointed being, you need apprehend
no harm.
Everywhere, always, thus much is in your 54
power, god-fearing contentment with your present
hap, just dealing in your present circle, and
absorption in the present impression,
intrude uncertified.
that none
Look not aside to other men's Selves, but fix 55
your eyes straight on the goal,
to which nature
guides you nature at large by circumstance,
your own nature by the acts required of you.
Everything must act according to its constitu-
tion : and by constitution all other things exist
for sake of those with reason, just as in every
other case the lower exist for sake of the higher,
and things with reason for sake of one another.
In man's constitution the primary element is the
social ; the second, that it is proof against the
bodily affections ;
for the motions of reason and
mind are self- determinant, and refuse subordin-