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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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i5o MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

the things they seek, their thefts and rapines<br />

done not with hands and feet, but with the most<br />

precious organ we possess, even that whereby, if<br />

we so will, we attain <strong>to</strong> faith and honour and truth<br />

and law and a good god within.<br />

14 To nature the all -giver and all -taker the<br />

schooled and self-respecting mind says<br />

'<br />

Give<br />

what thou wilt, and take back what thou wilt '-<br />

not in any <strong>to</strong>ne <strong>of</strong> bravado, but solely <strong>of</strong> obedience<br />

and goodwill.<br />

15 The residue <strong>of</strong> life is short. Live as on a<br />

mountain. It matters not whether here or there ;<br />

everywhere you are a citizen <strong>of</strong> the city<br />

<strong>of</strong> the<br />

world. Let men see and witness a true man, a<br />

life conformed <strong>to</strong> nature. If they cannot bear<br />

him, let them make away with him. Better that,<br />

than life on their terms.<br />

16 No more mere talk <strong>of</strong> what the good man<br />

should be. Be it !<br />

17 Embrace in your regard all time and all being<br />

and see that by the side <strong>of</strong> being,<br />

all individual<br />

things are but a grain <strong>of</strong> millet, by that <strong>of</strong> time as<br />

the turn <strong>of</strong> a screw.<br />

18 Get a clear understanding <strong>of</strong> all material things<br />

picture each one <strong>of</strong> them in dissolution, in

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