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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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1 64 MARCUS ANTONINUS BOOK<br />

Zeus who knits the bond <strong>of</strong> fellowship, it is in<br />

our power <strong>to</strong> coalesce once more with our neigh-<br />

bour, and recomplete the whole. Yet constant<br />

repetition<br />

<strong>of</strong> the severance makes reunion and<br />

res<strong>to</strong>ration difficult for the separatist.<br />

The branch<br />

which is part <strong>of</strong> the original growth and has<br />

shared the continuous life <strong>of</strong> the tree, is not the<br />

same as one that has been lopped <strong>of</strong>f and re-<br />

ingrafted, as the gardeners know well. So then<br />

One at core, if not in creed.<br />

9 Those who put obstacles in the way <strong>of</strong> your<br />

following the law <strong>of</strong> Reason cannot divert you<br />

from sound action ; so likewise let them not give<br />

your charity<br />

a check. Make sure <strong>of</strong> both <strong>of</strong><br />

stedfastness in judgment and action, but also <strong>of</strong><br />

gentleness <strong>to</strong>wards those who try <strong>to</strong> baulk or<br />

otherwise annoy you. To lose your temper with<br />

them is no less weakness, than <strong>to</strong> abstain from<br />

action or <strong>to</strong> be cowed in<strong>to</strong> giving in. Both are<br />

alike deserters from the ranks both he who<br />

succumbs, and he who is estranged from his<br />

natural brother and friend.<br />

10 Nature is never inferior <strong>to</strong> art ; for the arts are<br />

but imitations <strong>of</strong> nature. If so, nature in its most<br />

perfect and comprehensive<br />

form cannot fall short

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