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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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xi TO HIMSELF 165<br />

<strong>of</strong> true artist workmanship. But all the arts use<br />

the lower for the higher ; and so <strong>to</strong>o does nature.<br />

Thus we get at the origin <strong>of</strong> justice, which is the<br />

basis <strong>of</strong> all the other virtues ; for we are not true<br />

<strong>to</strong> justice, if we strive for things secondary, or if<br />

we allow ourselves <strong>to</strong> be imposed upon, or draw<br />

hasty<br />

and fallible conclusions.<br />

The things it so perturbs you <strong>to</strong> seek or shun, 11<br />

do not come <strong>to</strong> you ; rather, you go <strong>to</strong> them.<br />

Only let your judgment <strong>of</strong> them hold its peace,<br />

and they on their side will remain stationary, and<br />

no one will see you either seeking them or<br />

shunning.<br />

The soul becomes a " self-rounded sphere," when 12<br />

it neither strains outward, nor contracts inward by<br />

self-constriction and compression, but shines with<br />

the light, by which it sees all truth without and<br />

truth within.<br />

Will any contemn me ? See he <strong>to</strong> that. It 13<br />

is for me <strong>to</strong> see that neither by act nor word I<br />

merit contempt. Or hate me ? Again,<br />

his affair.<br />

Mine is <strong>to</strong> be in charity and kindliness with every<br />

one, ready <strong>to</strong> show this very man his misconcep-<br />

tion, not in a carping spirit or with a parade <strong>of</strong><br />

forbearance, but honestly and in good part, like old

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