Meditations E-Book

Emperor Of Rome Marcus Aurelius

• Herausgeber: Emperor Of Rome Marcus Aurelius
• Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He was the last of the Five Good Emperors, and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers.

While on campaign between 170 and 180, Aurelius wrote his Meditations in Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. The title of this work was added posthumously—originally he titled his work simply: "To Myself". He had a logical mind and his notes were representative of Stoic philosophy and spirituality.

Meditations is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty. The book has been a favourite of Frederick the Great, John Stuart Mill, Matthew Arnold, Goethe, Wen Jiabao, and Bill Clinton.

Leseprobe

Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius

Meditations

First digital edition 2017 by Anna Ruggieri

Table of contents

Table of contents

HIS FIRST BOOK

I. Of my grandfather Verus I have learnedto be gentle and meek, and to

II. Of him that brought me up, not to be fondly addicted to either of

III. Of Diognetus, not to busy myself about vain things, and not easily

IV. To Rusticus I am beholding, that I first entered into the conceit

V. From Apollonius, true liberty, and unvariable steadfastness, and not

VI. Of Sextus, mildness and the pattern of a family governed with

VII. From Alexander the Grammarian, to be un-reprovable myself, and not

VIII. Of Fronto, to how much envy and fraud and hypocrisy the state of a

IX. Of Alexander the Platonic, not often nor without great necessity to

X. Of Catulus, not to contemn any friend's expostulation, though unjust,

XI. From my brother Severus, to be kind and loving to all them of my

XII. From Claudius Maximus, in all things to endeavour to have power

XIII. In my father, I observed his meekness; his constancy without

XIV. From the gods I received that I had good grandfathers, and parents,

XV. In the country of the Quadi at Granua, these. Betimes in the morning

XVI. Whatsoever I am, is either flesh, or life, or that which we

XVII. Whatsoever proceeds from the gods immediately, that any man will

THE SECOND BOOK

I. Remember how long thou hast already put off these things, and how

II. Let it be thy earnest andincessant care as a Roman and a man to

III. Do, soul, do; abuse and contemn thyself; yet a while and the time

IV. Why should any of these things that happen externally, so much

V. For not observing the state of another man's soul, scarce was ever

VI. Thesethings thou must always have in mind: What is the nature

VII. Theophrastus, where he compares sin with sin (as after a vulgar

VIII. Whatsoever thou dost affect, whatsoever thou dost project, so do,

IX. Consider how quickly all things are dissolved and resolved: the

X. It is the part of a man endowed with a good understanding faculty, to

XI. Consider with thyself how man, and by what part of his, is joined

XII. If thou shouldst live three thousand, or as many as ten thousands

XIII. Remember that all is butopinion and conceit, for those things

XIV. A man's soul doth wrong and disrespect itself first and especially,

XV. The time of a man's life is as a point; the substance of it ever

THE THIRD BOOK

I. A man must not only consider how daily his life wasteth and

II. This also thou must observe, that whatsoever it is that naturally

III. Hippocrates having cured many sicknesses, fell sick himself and

IV. Spend not the remnant of thy days in thoughts and fancies concerning

V. Do nothing against thy will, norcontrary to the community, nor

VI. To be cheerful, and to stand in no need, either of other men's help

VII. If thou shalt find anything in this mortal life better than

VIII. Never esteem of anything as profitable, which shall ever constrain

IX. In the mindthat is once truly disciplined and purged, thou canst

X. Use thine opinative faculty with all honour and respect, for in

XI. To these ever-present helps and mementoes, let one more be added,

XII. What is this, that now my fancy is set upon? of what thingsdoth

XIII. If thou shalt intend that which is present, following the rule of

XIV. As physicians and chirurgeons have always their instruments ready

XV. Be not deceived; for thou shalt never live to read thy moral

XVI. To steal, to sow, to buy, to be at rest, to see what is to be done

XVII. To be capable of fancies and imaginations, is common to man and

THE FOURTH BOOK

I. That inward mistress part of man if it be in its own true natural

II. Let nothing be done rashly, and at random, but all things according

III. They seek for themselves private retiring

IV. If to understand and to be reasonable be common unto all men, then

V. As generation is, so also death, a secret of nature's wisdom: a

VI. Such and such things, from such and such causes, must of necessity

VII. Let opinion be taken away, and no man will think himself wronged.

VIII. Whatsoever doth happen in the world, doth happen justly, and so if

IX. Conceit no such things, as he that wrongeth thee conceiveth,

X. These two rules, thou must have always ina readiness. First, do

XI. Hast thou reason? I have. Why then makest thou not use of it? For if

XII. As a part hitherto thou hast had a particular subsistence: and now

XIII. Within ten days, if so happen, thou shalt be esteemed a god of

XIV. Not as thoughthou hadst thousands of years to live. Death hangs

XV. Now much time and leisure doth he gain, who is not curious to know

XVI. He who is greedy of credit and reputation after his death, doth

XVII. If so be that the souls remain after death (say they that will not

XVIII. Not to wander out of the way, but upon every motion and desire,

XIX. Whatsoever is expedient unto thee, O World, is expedient unto me;

XX. They will say commonly, Meddle not with many things, if thou wilt

XXI. Try also how a good man's life;(of one, who is well pleased with

XXII. Either this world is a kosmoz or comely piece, because all

XXIII. A black or malign disposition, an effeminate disposition; an

XXIV. He is a true fugitive, that flies from reason, by which men are

XXV. There is, whowithout so much as a coat; and there is, who without

XXVI. What art and profession soever thou hast learned, endeavour to

XXVII. Consider in my mind, for example's sake, the times of Vespasian:

XXVIII. Those words which once were common and ordinary, arenow become

XXIX. Whatsoever is now present, and from day to day hath its existence;

XXX. Thou art now ready to die, and yet hast thou not attained to

XXXI. Behold and observe, what is the state of their rational part; and

XXXII. In another man's mind and understanding thy evil Cannot subsist,

XXXIII. Ever consider and think upon the world as being but one living

XXXIV. What art thou, that better and divine part excepted, but as

XXXV. To suffer change can be no hurt; as no benefit it is, by change to

XXXVI.Whatsoever doth happen in the world, is, in the course of nature,

XXXVII. Let that of Heraclitus never be out of thy mind, that the death

XXXVIII. Even as if any of the gods should tell thee, Thou shalt

XXXIX. Let it be thy perpetual meditation, how many physicians who

XL. Thou must be like a promontory of the sea, against which though

XLI. Oh, wretched I, to whom this mischance is happened! nay, happy I,

XLII. It is but an ordinary coarse one, yet it is a good effectual

XLIII. Let thy course ever be the most compendious way. The most

THE FIFTH BOOK

I. In the morning when thou findest thyself unwilling to rise, consider

II. How easy a thing is it for a man to put off from him all turbulent

III. Think thyself fit and worthy to speak, or to do anything that is

IV. I continue my course by actions according to nature, until I

V. No man can admire thee for thy sharp acute language, such is thy

VI. Such there be, who when they have done a good turn to any, are ready

VII. The form of the Athenians' prayer did runthus: 'O rain, rain, good

VIII. As we say commonly, The physician hath prescribed unto this man,

IX. Be not discontented, be not disheartened, be not out of hope, if

X. Thou must comfort thyself in the expectation of thy natural

XI. What is the use that now at this present I make of my soul? Thus

XII. What those things are in themselves, which by the greatest part are

XIII. All that I consist of, is either form or matter. No corruption can

XIV. Reason, and rational power, are faculties which content themselves

XV. Such as thy thoughts and ordinary cogitations are, such will thy

XVI. To desire things impossible is the part of a mad man. But it is a

XVII. After one consideration, man is nearest unto us; as we are bound

XVIII. Honour that which is chiefest andmost powerful in the world, and

XIX. That which doth not hurt the city itself; cannot hurt any citizen.

XX. Let not that chief commanding part of thy soul be ever subject to

XXI. To live with the Gods. He liveth with the Gods, who at all times

XXII. Be notangry neither with him whose breath, neither with him whose

XXIII. 'Where there shall neither roarer be, nor harlot.' Why so? As

XXIV. That rational essence by which the universe is governed, is for

XXV. How hast thou carried thyself hitherto towards theGods? towards

XXVI. Why should imprudent unlearned souls trouble that which is

XXVII. Within a very little while, thou wilt be either ashes, or a

XXVIII. Thou mayest always speed, if thou wilt but make choice of the

XXIX. If this neither be my wicked act,nor an act anyways depending

XXX. Let death surprise rue when it will, and where it will, I may be a

THE SIXTH BOOK

I. The matter itself, of which the universe doth consist, is of itself

II. Be it all one unto thee, whether half frozen or well warm;whether

III. Look in, let not either the proper quality, or the true worth of

IV. All substances come soon to their change, and either they shall

V. The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.

VI. Let this be thy only joy, and thy only comfort, from one sociable

VII. The rational commanding part, as it alone can stir up and turn

VIII. According to the nature of the universe all things particular are

IX. Whensoever by some present hard occurrences thou art constrained to

X. If it were thatthou hadst at one time both a stepmother, and

XI. How marvellous useful it is for a man to represent unto himself

XII. See what Crates pronounceth concerning Xenocrates himself.

XIII. Those things which the common sort of people do admire, are most

XIV. Some things hasten to be, and others to be no more. And even

XV. Not vegetative spiration, it is not surely (which plants have) that

XVI. Under, above, and about, are the motions of the elements; but

XVII. Who can choose but wonder at them? They will not speak well of

XVIII. Do not ever conceive anything impossible to man, which by thee

XIX. Suppose that at the palestra somebody hath all to-torn thee with

XX. If anybody shall reprove me, and shall make it apparent unto me,

XXI. I for my part will do what belongs unto me; as for other things,

XXII. Alexander of Macedon, and he that dressed his mules, when once

XXIII Consider how many different things, whether they concern our

XXIV. if any should put this question unto thee, how this word Antoninus

XXV. Is it not a cruel thing to forbid men to affect those things, which

XXVI. Death is a cessation from the impression of the senses, the

XXVII. If in this kind of life thy body be able to hold out, it is a

XXVIII. Do all things as becometh the disciple of Antoninus Pius.

XXIX. Stir up thy mind, and recall thy wits again from thy natural

XXX. I consist of body and soul. Unto my body all things are

XXXI. As long as the foot doth that which belongeth unto it to do, and

XXXII. Dost thou not see, how even those thatprofess mechanic arts,

XXXIII. Asia, Europe; what are they, but as corners of the whole world;

XXXIV He that seeth the things that are now, hath Seen all that either

XXXV. Fit and accommodate thyself to that estate and to those

XXXVI. What things soever are not within the proper power and

XXXVII. We all work to one effect, some willingly, and with a rational

XXXVIII. Doth either the sun take upon him to do that which belongs to

XXXIX. If so be that the Gods have deliberated in particular of those

XL. Whatsoever in any kind doth happen to any one, is expedient to the

XLI. As the ordinary shows of the theatre and of other such places,

XLII. Let the several deaths of men of all sorts, and of all sorts of

XLIII. When thou wilt comfort and cheer thyself, call tomind the

XLIV. Dost thou grieve that thou dost weigh but so many pounds, and not

XLV. Let us do our best endeavours to persuade them; but however, if

XLVI. The ambitious supposeth another man's act, praise and applause, to

XLVII. It is in thy power absolutely to exclude all manner of conceit

XLVIII. Use thyself when any man speaks unto thee, so to hearken unto

XLIX. That which is not good for the bee-hive, cannot be good for the

L. Will either passengers, or patients, find fault and complain, either

LI. Howmany of them who came into the world at the same time when I

LII. To them that are sick of the jaundice, honey seems bitter; and to

LIII. No man can hinder thee to live as thy nature doth require. Nothing

LIV. What manner of men they be whom they seek toplease, and what to

THE SEVENTH BOOK

I. What is wickedness? It is that which many time and often thou hast

II. What fear is there that thy dogmata, or philosophical resolutions

III. That which most men would think themselves most happy for, and

IV. Wordafter word, every one by itself, must the things that are

V. Is my reason, and understanding sufficient for this, or no? If it be

VI. Let not things future trouble thee. For if necessity so require that

VII. Whatsoever is material, doth soon vanish awayinto the common

VIII. To a reasonable creature, the same action is both according

IX. Straight of itself, not made straight.

X. As several members in one body united, so are reasonable creatures

XI. Of things that are external, happen what will to that which can

XII. Whatsoever any man either doth or saith, thou must be good; not for

XIII. This may ever be my comfort and security: my understanding, that

XIV. What is rv&nfLovia, or happiness: but a7~o~ &d~wv, or, a good

XV. Is any man so foolish as to fear change, to which all things that

XVI. Through the substance of the universe, as through a torrent pass

XVII. The nature of the universe, of the common substance of all things

XVIII. An angry countenance is much against nature, and it is oftentimes

XIX. Whensoever any man doth trespass against other, presently consider

XX. Fancy not to thyself things future, as though they were present

XXI. Wipe off all opinion stay the force and violence of unreasonable

XXII. All things (saith he) are by certain order and appointment. And

XXIII. Out of Plato. 'He then whose mind is endowed with true

XXIV. Out of Antisthenes. 'It is a princely thing to do well, and to be

XXV. Out of several poets and comics. 'It will but little avail thee,

XXVI. Out of Plato. 'My answer, fullof justice and equity, should be

XXVII. To look back upon things of former ages, as upon the manifold

XXVIII. He hath a stronger body, and is a better wrestler than I. What

XXIX. Where the matter may be effected agreeably to that reason, which

XXX. Look not about upon other men's minds and understandings; but look

XXXI. As one who had lived, and were now to die by right, whatsoever is

XXXII. Thou must use thyself also to keep thy body fixed and steady;

XXXIII. The art of true living in this world is morelike a wrestler's,

XXXIV. Thou must continually ponder and consider with thyself, what

XXXV. What pain soever thou art in, let this presently come to thy mind,

XXXVI. Take heed lest at any time thou stand so affected, though towards

XXXVII. How know we whether Socrates were so eminent indeed, and of so

XXXVIII. For it is a thing very possible, that a man should be a very

XXXIX. Free from all compulsion in all cheerfulness and alacrity thou

XL. Then hath a man attained to the estate of perfection in his lifeand

XLI. Can the Gods, who are immortal, for the continuance of so many ages

XLII. What object soever, our reasonable and sociable faculty doth meet

XLIII. When thou hast done well, and another is benefited by thy action,

XLIV. The nature of the universedid once certainly before it was

THE EIGHTH BOOK

I. This also, among other things, may serve to keep thee from vainglory;

II. Upon every action that thou art about, put this question to thyself;

III. Alexander, Caius, Pompeius; what are these to Diogenes,Heraclitus,

IV. What they have done, they will still do, although thou shouldst hang

V. That which the nature of the universe doth busy herself about, is;

VI. Every particular nature hath content, when in its own proper course

VII. Thou hast no time nor opportunity to read. What then? Hast thou

VIII. Forbear henceforth to complain of the trouble of a courtly life,

IX. Repentance is an inward and self-reprehension for the neglect or

X. This, what is it in itself, and by itself, according to its proper

XI.When thou art hard to be stirred up and awaked out of thy sleep,

XII. As every fancy and imagination presents itself unto thee, consider

XIII. At thy first encounter with any one, say presently to thyself:

XIV. Remember, that to change thy mind upon occasion, and to follow him

XV. If it were thine act and in thine own power, wouldest thou do

XVI. Whatsoever dieth and falleth, however and wheresoever it die

XVII. Whatsoever is, was made for something: as a horse, a vine. Why

XVIII. Nature hath its end aswell in the end and final consummation of

XIX. As one that tosseth up a ball. And what is a ball the better, if

XX. That which must be the subject of thy consideration, is either the

XXI. Most justly have these things happened unto thee: why dost not

XXII.Shall I do it? I will; so the end of my action be to do good unto

XXIII. By one action judge of the rest: this bathing which usually takes

XXIV. Lucilla buried Verus; then was Lucilla herself buried by others.

XXV. The true joy of a man, is to do that which properly belongs unto a

XXVI. If pain be an evil, either it is in regard of the body; (and that

XXVII. Wipe off all idle fancies, and say unto thyself incessantly; Now

XXVIII. Whether thou speak in the Senate or whether thou speak to any

XXIX. Augustushis court; his wife, his daughter, his nephews, his

XXX. Contract thy whole life to the measure and proportion of one single

XXXI. Receive temporal blessings without ostentation, when they are sent

XXXII. If ever thou sawest either a hand, or a foot, or ahead lying by

XXXIII. As almost all her other faculties and properties the nature of

XXXIV. Let not the general representation unto thyself of the

XXXV. What? are either Panthea or Pergamus abiding to this day by their

XXXVI. If thou beest quick-sighted, be so in matter of judgment, and

XXXVII. In the whole constitution of man, I see not any virtue contrary

XXXVIII. If thou canst but withdraw conceit and opinion concerning that

XXXIX. That which is a hindrance of the senses, is an evil to the

XL. If once round and solid, there is no fear that ever it will change.

XLI. Why should I grieve myself; who never did willingly grieve any

XLII. This time that is now present, bestow thou upon thyself. They that

XLIII. Take me and throw me where thou wilt: I am indifferent. For there

XLIV. Is this then a thing of that worth, that for it my soul should

XLV. Nothing can happen unto thee, which is not incidental unto thee, as

XLVI. Remember that thy mind is of that nature as that it becometh

XLVII. Keep thyself to thefirst bare and naked apprehensions of things,

XLVIII. Is the cucumber bitter? set it away. Brambles are in the way?

XLIX. Not to be slack and negligent; or loose, and wanton in thy

L. 'They kill me, they cut my flesh; they persecute my person with

LI. He that knoweth not what the world is, knoweth not where he himself

LII. Not only now henceforth to have a common breath, or to hold

LIII. Wickedness in general doth not hurt the world. Particular

LIV. The sun seemeth to be shed abroad. And indeed it is diffused but

LV. He that feareth death, either feareth that he shall have no sense at

LVI. All men are made one for another: either then teach them better, or

LVII. The motion of the mind is not as the motion of a dart. For

LVIII. To pierce and penetrate into the estate of every one's

THE NINTH BOOK

I. He that is unjust, is also impious. For the nature of the universe,

II. It were indeed more happy and comfortable, for a man to depart out

III. Thou must not in matter of death carry thyself scornfully, but as

IV.He that sinneth, sinneth unto himself. He that is unjust, hurts

V. If my present apprehension of the object be right, and my present

VI. To wipe away fancy, to use deliberation, to quench concupiscence, to

VII. Of all unreasonable creatures, there is butone unreasonable soul;

VIII. Man, God, the world, every one in their kind, bear some fruits.

IX. Either teach them better if it be in thy power; or if it be not,

X. Labour not as one to whom it is appointed to be wretched, nor as one

XI. This day I did come out of all my trouble. Nay I have cast out all

XII. All those things, for matter of experience are usual and ordinary;

XIII. The things themselves that affect us, they stand without doors,

XIV. As virtue and wickedness consist not in passion, but inaction; so

XV. To the stone that is cast up, when it comes down it is no hurt unto

XVI. Sift their minds and understandings, and behold what men they be,

XVII. All things that are in the world, are always in the estate

XVIII. it is not thine, but another man's sin. Why should it trouble

XIX. Of an operation and of a purpose there is an ending, or of an

XX. As occasion shall require, either to thine own understanding, or to

XXI. As thou thyself, whoever thou art, were made for the perfection and

XXII. Children's anger, mere babels; wretched souls bearing up dead

XXIII. Go to the quality of the cause from which the effect doth

XXIV. Infinite are the troubles and miseries, that thou hast already

XXV. When any shall either impeach thee with false accusations, or

XXVI. Up and down, from one age to another, go the ordinary things of

XXVII. Within a while the earth shall cover us all, and then she herself

XXVIII. And these your professed politicians, the only true practical

XXIX. From some high place as it were to look down, and to behold

XXX. Many of those things that trouble and straiten thee, it is in thy

XXXI. To comprehend the whole world together in thy mind, and the whole

XXXII. What are their minds and understandings; and what the things that

XXXIII. Loss andcorruption, is in very deed nothing else but change and

XXXIV. How base and putrid, every common matter is! Water, dust, and

XXXV. Will this querulousness, this murmuring, this complaining and

XXXVI. It is all one to see these things for a hundred of years together

XXXVII. If he have sinned, his is the harm, not mine. But perchance he

XXXVIII. Either all things by the providence of reason happen unto every

XXXIX. Sayest thou unto that rational part, Thou art dead; corruption

XL. Either the Gods can do nothing for us at all, or they can still and

XLI. 'In my sickness' (saith Epicurus of himself:) 'my discourses were

XLII. It is common to all trades and professions to mind and intend that

XLIII. When at any time thou art offended with any one's impudency, put

THE TENTH BOOK

I. O my soul, the time I trust will be, when thou shalt be good, simple,

II. As one who is altogether governed by nature, let it be thy care to

III. Whatsoever doth happen unto thee, thou art naturally by thy natural

IV. Him that offends,to teach with love and meek ness, and to show him

V. Whatsoever it be that happens unto thee, it is that which from all

VI. Either with Epicurus, we must fondly imagine the atoms to be the

VII. All parts of the world, (all things I mean that are contained

VIII. Now that thou hast taken these names upon thee of good, modest,

IX. Toys and fooleries at home, wars abroad: sometimes terror, sometimes

X. As the spider, when it hath caught the fly that it hunted after, is

XI. To find out, and set to thyself some certain way and method of

XII. He hath got loose from the bonds of his body, and perceiving that

XIII. What use is there of suspicion at all? or, why should thoughts

XIV. What is that that is slow, and yet quick? merry, and yet grave? He

XV. In the morningas soon as thou art awaked, when thy judgment, before

XVI. Give what thou wilt, and take away what thou wilt, saith he that is

XVII. So live as indifferent to the world and all worldly objects, as

XVIII. Make it not any longer a matter of dispute or discourse, what are

XIX. Ever to represent unto thyself; and to set before thee, both the

XX. Consider them through all actions and occupations, of their lives:

XXI. That is best for every one, that the common nature of all doth send

XXII. The earth, saith the poet, doth often long after the rain. So is

XXIII. Either thou dost Continue in this kind of life and that is it,

XXIV Let it always appear and be manifest unto thee that solitariness,

XXV. He that runs away from his master is a fugitive. But the law is

XXVI. From man is the seed, that once cast into the womb man hath no

XXVII. Ever to mind and consider with thyself; how all things that now

XXVIII. As a pig that cries and flings when his throat is cut, fancy to

XXIX. Whatsoever it is that thou goest about, consider of it by thyself,

XXX. When thou art offended with any man's transgression, presently

XXXI. When thou seest Satyro, think of Socraticus and Eutyches, or

XXXII. What a subject, and what a course of life is it, that thou doest

XXXIII. Let it not be in any man's power, to say truly of thee, that

XXXIV. As he that is bitten by a mad dog, is afraid of everything almost

XXXV. A good eye must be good to see whatsoever is to be seen, and not

XXXVI. There is not any man that is so happy in his death, butthat some

XXXVII. Use thyself; as often, as thou seest any man do anything,

XXXVIII. Remember, that that which sets a man at work, and hath power

THE ELEVENTH BOOK

I. The natural properties, and privileges of a reasonable soul are: That

II. A pleasant song or dance; the Pancratiast's exercise, sports that

III. That soul which is ever ready, even now presently (if need be) from

IV. Have I done anything charitably? then am I benefited by it. See

V. Tragedies were at first brought in and instituted, to put men in mind

VI. How clearly doth it appear unto thee, that no other course of thy

VII. A branch cut off from the continuity of that which was next unto

VIII. To grow together like fellow branches in matter of good

IX. It is not possible that any nature should be inferior unto art,

X. The things themselves (which either to get or to avoid thou art put

XI. Then is the soul as Empedocles doth liken it, like unto a sphere or

XII. Will any contemn me? let him look to that, upon what grounds he

XIII. They contemn one another, and yet they seek to please one another:

XIV. How rotten and insincere is he, that saith, I am resolved to carry

XV. To live happily is an inward power of the soul, when she is affected

XVI. Of everything thou must consider from whence it came,of what

XVII. Four several dispositions or inclinations there be of the mind and

XVIII. What portion soever, either of air or fire there be in thee,

XIX. He that hath not one and the self-same general end always as long

XX. Remember the fable of thecountry mouse and the city mouse, and the

XXI. Socrates was wont to call the common conceits and opinions of men,

XXII. The Lacedaemonians at their public spectacles were wont to appoint

XXIII. What Socrates answered unto Perdiccas, why he did not come unto

XXIV. In the ancient mystical letters of the Ephesians, there was an

XXV. The Pythagoreans were wont betimes in the morning the first thing

XXVI. How Socrates looked, when he was fain to gird himself with a

XXVII. In matter of writing or reading thou must needs be taught before

XXVIII. 'My heart smiled within me.' 'They will accuse even virtue

XXIX. As they that long after figs in winter when they cannot be had; so

XXX. 'As often as a father kisseth his child, he should say secretly

XXXI. 'Of the free will there is no thief or robber:' out of Epictetus;

THE TWELFTH BOOK

I. Whatsoever thou doest hereafter aspire unto, thou mayest even now

II. God beholds our minds and understandings, bare and naked from these

III. I have often wondered how it should come to pass, that every man

IV. how come it to pass that the Gods having ordered all other things

V. Use thyself even unto those things that thou doest at first despair

VI. Let these be the objects of thy ordinary meditation: to consider,

VII. All worldly things thou must behold and consider, dividing them

VIII. How happy is man in this his power that hath been granted unto

IX. Whatsoever doth happen in the ordinary course and consequence of

X. How ridiculous and strange is he, that wonders at anything that

XI.Either fate, (and that either an absolute necessity, and unavoidable

XII. At the conceit and apprehension that such and such a one hath

XIII. If it be not fitting, do it not. If it be not true, speak it not.

XIV. Of everything that presents itself unto thee, to consider what the

XV. It is high time for thee, to understand that there is somewhat in

XVI. Remember that all is but opinion, and all opinion depends of the

XVII. No operation whatsoever it he, ceasing for a while, can be truly

XVIII. These three things thou must have always in a readiness: first

XIX. Cast away from thee opinion, and thou art safe. And what is it that

XX. Let thy thoughts ever run upon them, who once for some one thing or

XXI. To them that ask thee, Where hast thou seen the Gods, orhow

XXII. Herein doth consist happiness of life, for a man to know

XXIII. There is but one light of the sun, though it be intercepted by

XXIV. What doest thou desire? To live long. What? To enjoy the

XXV. What a small portion of vast and infinite eternityit is, that is

XXVI. What is the present estate of my understanding? For herein lieth

XXVII. To stir up a man to the contempt of death this among other

APPENDIX

NOTES

GLOSSARY

INTRODUCTION

MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS w [...]