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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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104 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

itself in calm, in true judgment upon<br />

each be-<br />

setting claim, and in ready use <strong>of</strong> all material<br />

at its disposal. So that judgment may say <strong>to</strong><br />

circumstance, '<br />

This is what you intrinsically are,<br />

though you may get credit for being something<br />

different '<br />

: and use may say <strong>to</strong> opportunity, ' You<br />

are what I was looking for. For whatever comes<br />

<strong>to</strong> hand is material for the practice <strong>of</strong> rational<br />

and social virtue, in a word <strong>of</strong> that art which is<br />

proper <strong>to</strong> man or god.' All that befalls is so<br />

much assimilative material for god or man, never<br />

novel or impracticable, but familiar and apt for use.<br />

69 Herein is the way <strong>of</strong> perfection <strong>to</strong> live out<br />

each day as one's last, with no fever, no <strong>to</strong>rpor,<br />

and no acting a part.<br />

70 The immortal gods do not lose patience at<br />

having <strong>to</strong> bear age after age<br />

with the froward<br />

generations <strong>of</strong> men ; but still show for them all<br />

manner <strong>of</strong> concern. Shall you, whose end is in<br />

a moment, lose heart ? you, who are one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

froward ?<br />

71 It is absurd, not <strong>to</strong> fly from one's own evil-<br />

doing, which is possible, but <strong>to</strong> fly from others',<br />

which is impossible.<br />

72 Whatever the rational and social faculty finds

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