The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius - College of Stoic Philosophers

LjELIUS
OR
AN ESSAY ON FRIENDSHIP
To TITUS POMPONIUS ATTICUS
QUINTUS Mucius, the Augur, used to relate, in a very
agreeable manner, a variety of particulars which he
remembered concerning his father-in-law, the sage Lselius,
as he constantly styled him. My father introduced me
to Mucius as soon as I was invested with the manly robe,
and he so strongly recommended him to my observance
that I never neglected any opportunity in my power of
attending him. In consequence of this privilege I had
the advantage to hear him occasionally discuss several
important topics, and throw out many judicious maxims,
which I carefully treasured up in my mind, endeavouring
to improve myself in wisdom and knowledge by the
benefit of his enlightening observations.
After his death
I attached myself in the same manner, and with the
same views, to his relation, Mucius Scaevola, the chief
pontiff ; and I will venture to say that, in regard both
to the powers of his mind and the integrity of his heart,
Rome never produced a greater nor more respectable
character. But I shall take some other occasion to do
justice to the merit of this excellent man ; my present
business is solely with the Augur.
As I was one day sitting with him and two or three of
his intimate acquaintance in his semi-circular apartment
where he usually received company, among several other
points he fell into discourse upon an event which had
lately happened, and was, as you well know, the ge-neral
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