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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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viz TO HIMSELF 103<br />

one may have one's doubts, even assuming it true ;<br />

the one important consideration is, what sort <strong>of</strong><br />

soul had Socrates ? could he rest content with<br />

being just <strong>to</strong> men, and holy <strong>to</strong>wards the gods ?<br />

did he on the one hand resent men's evil-doing<br />

or fall in bondage <strong>to</strong> another's ignorance ? did he<br />

on the other accept the portion assigned, not as<br />

something counter <strong>to</strong> nature or <strong>to</strong>o grievous<br />

<strong>to</strong> be<br />

borne ? and did he keep the affections <strong>of</strong> the<br />

mind distinct from the affections <strong>of</strong> the flesh ?<br />

In commingling mind with the other elements 67<br />

<strong>of</strong> the compound, nature did not forbid it power<br />

<strong>of</strong> self-determination, and supremacy within its<br />

own domain. A man may easily enough be<br />

godlike, yet never be recognised as such. Ever<br />

remember this, and also that true happiness lies<br />

in a very few things. Do not, because dialectic<br />

and physics lie beyond your ken, despair on that<br />

account <strong>of</strong> freedom, self-respect, unselfishness, and<br />

tractability <strong>to</strong> god.<br />

Live life out unrebelliously in perfect peace, 68<br />

though the whole world bawl its wishes at you,<br />

yes though wild beasts tear limb by<br />

limb this<br />

material integument <strong>of</strong> flesh. Amid it all nothing<br />

can prevent your understanding from possessing

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