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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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vin TO HIMSELF 119<br />

its own constitution. Is change <strong>of</strong> place any good<br />

reason for my soul injuring and debasing itself by<br />

cringing, or craving, or cowering, or flinching?<br />

What indeed is worth that ?<br />

Nothing<br />

can befall a man that is not incidental 46<br />

<strong>to</strong> men ; nor a cow, nor a vine, nor a s<strong>to</strong>ne,<br />

that is not proper <strong>to</strong> cows, vines, QT s<strong>to</strong>nes. Why<br />

chafe then at the occurrence <strong>of</strong> that which is<br />

cus<strong>to</strong>mary and natural <strong>to</strong> each ? Nature brings<br />

nothing that you<br />

cannot bear.<br />

If you are pained by anything without, it is 47<br />

not the thing agitates you, but your own judgment<br />

concerning the thing ; and this it is in your own<br />

power <strong>to</strong> efface. If the pain<br />

comes from inward<br />

state and disposition, who hinders you from correct-<br />

ing the principle at fault? If however the pain<br />

consists in not taking some action which you per-<br />

ceive <strong>to</strong> be wholesome, why<br />

prolong the pain ?<br />

than yourself bars the way.'<br />

'<br />

not act rather than<br />

But some obstacle stronger<br />

' Then grieve not ;<br />

the responsibility for inaction does not lie with<br />

you.'<br />

undone.'<br />

*<br />

But life is not worth living, with the act<br />

'<br />

If so, take kindly leave <strong>of</strong> life,<br />

serenely owning the obstacle and dying<br />

he dies who succeeds.'<br />

even as<br />

I

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