9781945186240

1. To my soul:
Are you ever going to achieve goodness? Ever going to be simple,
whole, and naked—as plain to see as the body that contains you? Know
what an affectionate and loving disposition would feel like? Ever be
fulfilled, ever stop desiring—lusting and longing for people and things to
enjoy? Or for more time to enjoy them? Or for some other place or country
—“a more temperate clime”? Or for people easier to get along with? And
instead be satisfied with what you have, and accept the present—all of it.
And convince yourself that everything is the gift of the gods, that things are
good and always will be, whatever they decide and have in store for the
preservation of that perfect entity—good and just and beautiful, creating all
things, connecting and embracing them, and gathering in their separated
fragments to create more like them.
Will you ever take your stand as a fellow citizen with gods and human
beings, blaming no one, deserving no one’s censure?
2. Focus on what nature demands, as if you were governed by that
alone. Then do that, and accept it, unless your nature as a living being
would be degraded by it.
Then focus on what that nature demands, and accept that too—unless
your nature as a rational being would be degraded by it.
And, of course, “rational” also implies “civic.”
Follow these guidelines and don’t waste time on anything else.
3. Everything that happens is either endurable or not.
If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining.
If it’s unendurable . . . then stop complaining. Your destruction will
mean its end as well.
Just remember: you can endure anything your mind can make
endurable, by treating it as in your interest to do so.