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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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vni TO HIMSELF 117<br />

would the dead be conscious <strong>of</strong> it ? or if conscious,<br />

glad ? or if glad, would the mourners live on for<br />

ever? must they not in the order <strong>of</strong> things first<br />

turn in<strong>to</strong> old men and women, and then die? and<br />

when they died, what could their lovers do next ?<br />

All comes <strong>to</strong> stench and refuse at last.<br />

If you have sharp eyes, see and discern the 38<br />

inly wise.<br />

In the constitution <strong>of</strong> the reasoning being I 39<br />

perceive no virtue in mutiny against justice ; in<br />

mutiny against pleasure I see self-control.<br />

Take away your own view <strong>of</strong> what you regard 40<br />

as painful, and you<br />

what you is this true ?<br />

stand unassailable. 'But <strong>of</strong><br />

' '<br />

and I are not the same.'<br />

Of reason.'<br />

reason the pain <strong>of</strong> giving itself pain ;<br />

'<br />

But reason<br />

'<br />

Very good : then spare<br />

and if some<br />

other part <strong>of</strong> you is amiss, let it keep that view <strong>to</strong><br />

itself.'<br />

A contravention <strong>of</strong> sense is an injury <strong>to</strong> the 41<br />

life -nature; so likewise is a contravention <strong>of</strong><br />

impulse ; and similarly with any other form <strong>of</strong><br />

contravention or injury <strong>to</strong> the natural constitution.<br />

In the same way any<br />

contravention <strong>of</strong> mind is an<br />

injury <strong>to</strong> the mind -nature. Apply<br />

all this <strong>to</strong><br />

yourself. Are you affected by pain or pleasure ?

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