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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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152 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

service is finished. There is no other alternative.<br />

So be <strong>of</strong> good cheer.<br />

23 Take for your axiom the old truth the field 1<br />

is where you make it ; life here is just the same<br />

as life within the field, or on the mountain, or the<br />

shore, or where you will. In Pla<strong>to</strong>'s own phrase<br />

"<br />

encompassed in his mountain fold, milking his<br />

herds."<br />

24 What <strong>of</strong> my Inner Self? what am I making<br />

<strong>of</strong> it at this minute ? <strong>to</strong> what use am I putting it ?<br />

is it empty <strong>of</strong> mind ? divorced and dissociated<br />

from the bond <strong>of</strong> fellowship ? is it so ingrown<br />

and engrossed in flesh, as <strong>to</strong> share each shift and<br />

change ?<br />

25 The slave who makes away from his master is<br />

a runaway ; but law is our master ; and whoever<br />

breaks away from law is a runaway. But vexa-<br />

tion, anger, or fear mean refusal <strong>of</strong> something,<br />

past present or <strong>to</strong> come, ordained by the sovereign<br />

disposer, even Law, 2 who allots 2<br />

<strong>to</strong> every man his<br />

appointed work. So then <strong>to</strong> be vexed or angry<br />

or afeard, is <strong>to</strong> make oneself a runaway.<br />

1<br />

In<br />

'<br />

*<br />

<strong>Marcus</strong> <strong>Aurelius</strong> the field signifies the place <strong>of</strong> seclusion<br />

and retirement, as in iv. 3. The phrase <strong>of</strong> Pla<strong>to</strong> is from<br />

Theatetus, 174 D E.<br />

2 The Greek plays on the common derivation <strong>of</strong> v6fj,os vefteiv.

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