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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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128 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

wait for it as one <strong>of</strong> nature's operations. Just<br />

as now you wait for the <strong>of</strong>fspring <strong>to</strong> issue from<br />

your wife's womb, so expect the hour when<br />

your a<strong>to</strong>m <strong>of</strong> soul will slip its mortal case. If<br />

your heart asks for some simple and effective<br />

reassurance, the best solace against<br />

death is<br />

correct appreciation <strong>of</strong> the material things from<br />

which you are <strong>to</strong> part, and <strong>of</strong> the moral natures<br />

with which your soul will then cease <strong>to</strong> inter-<br />

mingle. Far be it from you <strong>to</strong> take <strong>of</strong>fence at<br />

them ; nay rather, care for them and deal<br />

gently with them ; yet remember, that you are<br />

parting with men whose principles are not your<br />

principles. The one thing, if any, which could<br />

hold you back and chain you still <strong>to</strong> life, would<br />

be companionship with kindred spirits. As it is,<br />

amid the besetting worry and jangle <strong>of</strong> life, you<br />

cry, ' Come quickly, death, for fear I <strong>to</strong>o forget<br />

myself!'<br />

4 He who sins, sins against himself; he who<br />

does wrong, wrongs himself, making himself evil.<br />

5 Wrong comes <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>of</strong> not doing<br />

doing.<br />

6 Certitude in present view,<br />

present act, present<br />

as well as<br />

unselfishness in<br />

contentment with all that

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