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MarcusAureliusAntoninustheRomanEmperor,byMarcusAurelius

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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofMeditations,byMarcusAureliusThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org

Title:MeditationsAuthor:MarcusAureliusReleaseDate:December25,2008[EBook#2680]Language:EnglishCharactersetencoding:ASCII***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKMEDITATIONS***

ProducedbyJ.Boulton,andDavidWidger

MEDITATIONSByMarcusAureliusMARCUSAURELIUSANTONINUSTHEROMANEMPEROR

OriginalTranscriber'sNote:TheGreekportionsofthetexthavebeenaddedbyhandandtheywillrequirethestandard"Symbol"font"symbol.ttf"tobeinstalledinthesystemfontsfolder.ThisisastandardWindowsfont,soshouldbepresentonmostsystems.ProjectGutenbergEditor'sNote:TheoriginalhtmlfilewiththepassagesinGreekinsymbol.ttffontdonotdisplayinmanybrowsersandw

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BOOKSINTRODUCTION

HISFIRSTBOOKTHESECONDBOOKTHETHIRDBOOKTHEFOURTHBOOK

THEFIFTHBOOKTHESIXTHBOOKTHESEVENTHBOOKTHEEIGHTHBOOK

THENINTHBOOKTHETENTHBOOKTHEELEVENTHBOOKTHETWELFTHBOOK

APPENDIXNOTESGLOSSARY

ParagraphswithFirstLines

HISFIRSTBOOKI.OfmygrandfatherVerusIhavelearnedtobegentleandmeek,andtoII.Ofhimthatbroughtmeup,nottobefondlyaddictedtoeitherofIII.OfDiognetus,nottobusymyselfaboutvainthings,andnoteasilyIV.ToRusticusIambeholding,thatIfirstenteredintotheconceitV.FromApollonius,trueliberty,andunvariablesteadfastness,andnotVI.OfSextus,mildnessandthepatternofafamilygovernedwithVII.FromAlexandertheGrammarian,tobeun-reprovablemyself,andnotVIII.OfFronto,tohowmuchenvyandfraudandhyp

ocrisythestateofaIX.OfAlexanderthePlatonic,notoftennorwithoutgreatnecessitytoX.OfCatulus,nottocontemnanyfriend'sexpostulation,thoughunjust,XI.FrommybrotherSeverus,tobekindandlovingtoallthemofmyXII.FromClaudiusMaximus,inallthingstoendeavourtohavepowerXIII.Inmyfather,Iobservedhismeekness;hisconstancywithoutXIV.FromthegodsIreceivedthatIhadgoodgrandfathers,andparents,XV.InthecountryoftheQuadiatGranua,these.BetimesinthemorningXVI.WhatsoeverIam,iseitherflesh,orlife,orthatwhichweXVII.Whatsoeverproceedsfromthegodsimmediately,thatanymanwill


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THESECONDBOOKI.Rememberhowlongthouhastalreadyputoffthesethings,andhowII.LetitbethyearnestandincessantcareasaRomanandamantoIII.Do,soul,do;abuseandcontemnthyself;yetawhileandthetimeIV.Whyshouldanyofthesethingsthathappenexternally,somuchV.Fornotobservingthestateofanotherman'ssoul,scarcewaseverVI.Thesethingsthoumustalwayshaveinmind:WhatisthenatureVII.Theophrastus,wherehecomparessinwithsin(asafteravulgarVIII.Whatsoeverthoudostaffect,whatsoeverthoudostproject,sodo,IX.Considerhowquicklyallthingsaredissolvedandresolved:theX.Itisthepartofamanendowedwithagoodunderstandingfaculty,toXI.Considerwiththyselfhowman,andbywhatpartofhis,isjoinedXII.Ifthoushouldstlivethreethousand,orasmanyastenthousandsXIII.Rememberthatallisbutopinionandconceit,forthosethingsXIV.Aman'ssouldothwronganddisrespectitselffirstandespecially,XV.Thetimeofaman'slifeisasapoint;thesubstanceofiteverTHETHIRDBOOKI.AmanmustnotonlyconsiderhowdailyhislifewastethandII.Thisalsothoumustobserve,thatwhatsoeveritisthatnaturallyIII.Hippocrateshavingcuredmanysicknesses,fellsickhimselfandIV.SpendnottheremnantofthydaysinthoughtsandfanciesconcerningV.Donothingagainstthywill,norcontrarytothecommunity,norVI.Tobecheerful,andtostandinnoneed,eitherofothermen'shelpVII.IfthoushaltfindanythinginthismortallifebetterthanVIII.Neveresteemofanythingasprofitabl

e,whichshalleverconstrainIX.Inthemindthatisoncetrulydisciplinedandpurged,thoucanstX.Usethineopinativefacultywithallhonourandrespect,forinXI.Totheseever-presenthelpsandmementoes,letonemorebeadded,XII.Whatisthis,thatnowmyfancyissetupon?ofwhatthingsdothXIII.Ifthoushaltintendthatwhichispresent,followingtheruleofXIV.AsphysiciansandchirurgeonshavealwaystheirinstrumentsreadyXV.Benotdeceived;forthoushaltneverlivetoreadthymoralXVI.Tosteal,tosow,tobuy,tobeatrest,toseewhatistobedoneXVII.Tobecapableoffanciesandimaginations,iscommontomanandTHEFOURTHBOOKI.ThatinwardmistresspartofmanifitbeinitsowntruenaturalII.Letnothingbedonerashly,andatrandom,butallthingsaccordingIII.TheyseekforthemselvesprivateretiringIV.Iftounderstandandtobereasonablebecommonuntoallmen,thenV.Asgenerationis,soalsodeath,asecretofnature'swisdom:aVI.Suchandsuchthings,fromsuchands

uchcauses,mustofnecessity


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VII.Letopinionbetakenaway,andnomanwillthinkhimselfwronged.VIII.Whatsoeverdothhappenintheworld,dothhappenjustly,andsoifIX.Conceitnosuchthings,ashethatwrongeththeeconceiveth,X.Thesetworules,thoumusthavealwaysinareadiness.First,doXI.Hastthoureason?Ihave.Whythenmakestthounotuseofit?ForifXII.Asaparthithertothouhasthadaparticularsubsistence:andnowXIII.Withintendays,ifsohappen,thoushaltbeesteemedagodofXIV.Notasthoughthouhadstthousandsofyearstolive.DeathhangsXV.Nowmuchtimeandleisuredothhegain,whoisnotcurioustoknowXVI.Hewhoisgreedyofcreditandreputationafterhisdeath,dothXVII.Ifsobethatthesoulsremainafterdeath(saytheythatwillnotXVIII.Nottowanderoutoftheway,butuponeverymotionanddesire,XIX.Whatsoeverisexpedientuntothee,OWorld,isexpedientuntome;XX.Theywillsaycommonly,Meddlenotwithmanythings,ifthouwiltXXI.Tryalsohowagoodman'slife;(ofone,whoiswellpleasedwithXXII.Eitherthisworldisakosmozorcomelypiece,becauseallXXIII.Ablackormaligndisposition,aneffeminatedisposition;anXXIV.Heisatruefugitive,thatfliesfromreason,bywhichmenareXXV.Thereis,whowithoutsomuchasacoat;andthereis,whowithoutXXVI.Whatartandprofessionsoeverthouhastlearned,endeavourtoXXVII.Considerinmymind,forexample'ssake,thetimesofVespasian:XXVIII.Thosewordswhichoncewerecommonandordinary,arenowbecomeXXIX.Whatsoeverisnowpresent,andfromdaytodayha

thitsexistence;XXX.Thouartnowreadytodie,andyethastthounotattainedtoXXXI.Beholdandobserve,whatisthestateoftheirrationalpart;andXXXII.Inanotherman'smindandunderstandingthyevilCannotsubsist,XXXIII.EverconsiderandthinkupontheworldasbeingbutonelivingXXXIV.Whatartthou,thatbetteranddivinepartexcepted,butasXXXV.Tosufferchangecanbenohurt;asnobenefititis,bychangetoXXXVI.Whatsoeverdothhappenintheworld,is,inthecourseofnature,XXXVII.LetthatofHeraclitusneverbeoutofthymind,thatthedeathXXXVIII.Evenasifanyofthegodsshouldtellthee,ThoushaltXXXIX.Letitbethyperpetualmeditation,howmanyphysicianswhoXL.Thoumustbelikeapromontoryofthesea,againstwhichthoughXLI.Oh,wretchedI,towhomthismischanceishappened!nay,happyI,XLII.Itisbutanordinarycoarseone,yetitisagoodeffectualXLIII.Letthycourseeverbethemostcompendiousway.ThemostTHEFIFTHBOOKI.Inthemorningwhenthoufindestth

yselfunwillingtorise,considerII.HoweasyathingisitforamantoputofffromhimallturbulentIII.Thinkthyselffitandworthytospeak,ortodoanythingthatisIV.Icontinuemycoursebyactionsaccordingtonature,untilI


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V.Nomancanadmiretheeforthysharpacutelanguage,suchisthyVI.Suchtherebe,whowhentheyhavedoneagoodturntoany,arereadyVII.TheformoftheAthenians'prayerdidrunthus:'Orain,rain,goodVIII.Aswesaycommonly,Thephysicianhathprescribeduntothisman,IX.Benotdiscontented,benotdisheartened,benotoutofhope,ifX.ThoumustcomfortthyselfintheexpectationofthynaturalXI.WhatistheusethatnowatthispresentImakeofmysoul?ThusXII.Whatthosethingsareinthemselves,whichbythegreatestpartareXIII.AllthatIconsistof,iseitherformormatter.NocorruptioncanXIV.Reason,andrationalpower,arefacultieswhichcontentthemselvesXV.Suchasthythoughtsandordinarycogitationsare,suchwillthyXVI.Todesirethingsimpossibleisthepartofamadman.ButitisaXVII.Afteroneconsideration,manisnearestuntous;asweareboundXVIII.Honourthatwhichischiefestandmostpowerfulintheworld,andXIX.Thatwhichdothnothurtthecityitself;cannothurtanycitizen.XX.LetnotthatchiefcommandingpartofthysoulbeeversubjecttoXXI.TolivewiththeGods.HelivethwiththeGods,whoatalltimesXXII.Benotangryneitherwithhimwhosebreath,neitherwithhimwhoseXXIII.'Wherethereshallneitherroarerbe,norharlot.'Whyso?AsXXIV.Thatrationalessencebywhichtheuniverseisgoverned,isforXXV.HowhastthoucarriedthyselfhithertotowardstheGods?towardsXXVI.WhyshouldimprudentunlearnedsoulstroublethatwhichisXXVII.Withinaverylittlewhile,thouwiltbeeithe

rashes,oraXXVIII.Thoumayestalwaysspeed,ifthouwiltbutmakechoiceoftheXXIX.Ifthisneitherbemywickedact,noranactanywaysdependingXXX.Letdeathsurpriseruewhenitwill,andwhereitwill,ImaybeaTHESIXTHBOOKI.Thematteritself,ofwhichtheuniversedothconsist,isofitselfII.Beitalloneuntothee,whetherhalffrozenorwellwarm;whetherIII.Lookin,letnoteithertheproperquality,orthetrueworthofIV.Allsubstancescomesoontotheirchange,andeithertheyshallV.Thebestkindofrevengeis,nottobecomelikeuntothem.VI.Letthisbethyonlyjoy,andthyonlycomfort,fromonesociableVII.Therationalcommandingpart,asitalonecanstirupandturnVIII.AccordingtothenatureoftheuniverseallthingsparticularareIX.WhensoeverbysomepresenthardoccurrencesthouartconstrainedtoX.Ifitwerethatthouhadstatonetimebothastepmother,andXI.HowmarvelloususefulitisforamantorepresentuntohimselfXII.SeewhatCratespronouncethconcerning

Xenocrateshimself.XIII.Thosethingswhichthecommonsortofpeopledoadmire,aremostXIV.Somethingshastentobe,andotherstobenomore.AndevenXV.Notvegetativespiration,itisnotsurely(whichplantshave)that


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XVI.Under,above,andabout,arethemotionsoftheelements;butXVII.Whocanchoosebutwonderatthem?TheywillnotspeakwellofXVIII.Donoteverconceiveanythingimpossibletoman,whichbytheeXIX.Supposethatatthepalestrasomebodyhathallto-torntheewithXX.Ifanybodyshallreproveme,andshallmakeitapparentuntome,XXI.Iformypartwilldowhatbelongsuntome;asforotherthings,XXII.AlexanderofMacedon,andhethatdressedhismules,whenonceXXIIIConsiderhowmanydifferentthings,whethertheyconcernourXXIV.ifanyshouldputthisquestionuntothee,howthiswordAntoninusXXV.Isitnotacruelthingtoforbidmentoaffectthosethings,whichXXVI.Deathisacessationfromtheimpressionofthesenses,theXXVII.Ifinthiskindoflifethybodybeabletoholdout,itisaXXVIII.DoallthingsasbecomeththediscipleofAntoninusPius.XXIX.Stirupthymind,andrecallthywitsagainfromthynaturalXXX.Iconsistofbodyandsoul.UntomybodyallthingsareXXXI.Aslongasthefootdoththatwhichbelongethuntoittodo,andXXXII.Dostthounotsee,howeventhosethatprofessmechanicarts,XXXIII.Asia,Europe;whatarethey,butascornersofthewholeworld;XXXIVHethatseeththethingsthatarenow,hathSeenallthateitherXXXV.FitandaccommodatethyselftothatestateandtothoseXXXVI.WhatthingssoeverarenotwithintheproperpowerandXXXVII.Weallworktooneeffect,somewillingly,andwitharationalXXXVIII.DotheitherthesuntakeuponhimtodothatwhichbelongstoXXXIX.Ifsobethatthe

GodshavedeliberatedinparticularofthoseXL.Whatsoeverinanykinddothhappentoanyone,isexpedienttotheXLI.Astheordinaryshowsofthetheatreandofothersuchplaces,XLII.Lettheseveraldeathsofmenofallsorts,andofallsortsofXLIII.Whenthouwiltcomfortandcheerthyself,calltomindtheXLIV.Dostthougrievethatthoudostweighbutsomanypounds,andnotXLV.Letusdoourbestendeavourstopersuadethem;buthowever,ifXLVI.Theambitioussupposethanotherman'sact,praiseandapplause,toXLVII.ItisinthypowerabsolutelytoexcludeallmannerofconceitXLVIII.Usethyselfwhenanymanspeaksuntothee,sotohearkenuntoXLIX.Thatwhichisnotgoodforthebee-hive,cannotbegoodfortheL.Willeitherpassengers,orpatients,findfaultandcomplain,eitherLI.HowmanyofthemwhocameintotheworldatthesametimewhenILII.Tothemthataresickofthejaundice,honeyseemsbitter;andtoLIII.Nomancanhindertheetoliveasthynaturedothrequire.NothingLIV.Whatm

annerofmentheybewhomtheyseektoplease,andwhattoTHESEVENTHBOOKI.Whatiswickedness?ItisthatwhichmanytimeandoftenthouhastII.Whatfearistherethatthydogmata,orphilosophicalresolutions


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III.Thatwhichmostmenwouldthinkthemselvesmosthappyfor,andIV.Wordafterword,everyonebyitself,mustthethingsthatareV.Ismyreason,andunderstandingsufficientforthis,orno?IfitbeVI.Letnotthingsfuturetroublethee.ForifnecessitysorequirethatVII.Whatsoeverismaterial,dothsoonvanishawayintothecommonVIII.Toareasonablecreature,thesameactionisbothaccordingIX.Straightofitself,notmadestraight.X.Asseveralmembersinonebodyunited,soarereasonablecreaturesXI.Ofthingsthatareexternal,happenwhatwilltothatwhichcanXII.Whatsoeveranymaneitherdothorsaith,thoumustbegood;notforXIII.Thismayeverbemycomfortandsecurity:myunderstanding,thatXIV.Whatisrv&nfLovia,orhappiness:buta7~o~&d~wv,or,agoodXV.Isanymansofoolishastofearchange,towhichallthingsthatXVI.Throughthesubstanceoftheuniverse,asthroughatorrentpassXVII.Thenatureoftheuniverse,ofthecommonsubstanceofallthingsXVIII.Anangrycountenanceismuchagainstnature,anditisoftentimesXIX.Whensoeveranymandothtrespassagainstother,presentlyconsiderXX.Fancynottothyselfthingsfuture,asthoughtheywerepresentXXI.WipeoffallopinionstaytheforceandviolenceofunreasonableXXII.Allthings(saithhe)arebycertainorderandappointment.AndXXIII.OutofPlato.'HethenwhosemindisendowedwithtrueXXIV.OutofAntisthenes.'Itisaprincelythingtodowell,andtobeXXV.Outofseveralpoetsandcomics.'Itwillbutlittleavailthee,XXVI.OutofPlato.'Myan

swer,fullofjusticeandequity,shouldbeXXVII.Tolookbackuponthingsofformerages,asuponthemanifoldXXVIII.Hehathastrongerbody,andisabetterwrestlerthanI.WhatXXIX.Wherethemattermaybeeffectedagreeablytothatreason,whichXXX.Looknotaboutuponothermen'smindsandunderstandings;butlookXXXI.Asonewhohadlived,andwerenowtodiebyright,whatsoeverisXXXII.Thoumustusethyselfalsotokeepthybodyfixedandsteady;XXXIII.Theartoftruelivinginthisworldismorelikeawrestler's,XXXIV.Thoumustcontinuallyponderandconsiderwiththyself,whatXXXV.Whatpainsoeverthouartin,letthispresentlycometothymind,XXXVI.Takeheedlestatanytimethoustandsoaffected,thoughtowardsXXXVII.HowknowwewhetherSocratesweresoeminentindeed,andofsoXXXVIII.Foritisathingverypossible,thatamanshouldbeaveryXXXIX.FreefromallcompulsioninallcheerfulnessandalacritythouXL.ThenhathamanattainedtotheestateofperfectioninhislifeandXL

I.CantheGods,whoareimmortal,forthecontinuanceofsomanyagesXLII.Whatobjectsoever,ourreasonableandsociablefacultydothmeetXLIII.Whenthouhastdonewell,andanotherisbenefitedbythyaction,XLIV.Thenatureoftheuniversedidoncecertainlybeforeitwas


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THEEIGHTHBOOKI.Thisalso,amongotherthings,mayservetokeeptheefromvainglory;II.Uponeveryactionthatthouartabout,putthisquestiontothyself;III.Alexander,Caius,Pompeius;whatarethesetoDiogenes,Heraclitus,IV.Whattheyhavedone,theywillstilldo,althoughthoushouldsthangV.Thatwhichthenatureoftheuniversedothbusyherselfabout,is;VI.Everyparticularnaturehathcontent,wheninitsownpropercourseVII.Thouhastnotimenoropportunitytoread.Whatthen?HastthouVIII.Forbearhenceforthtocomplainofthetroubleofacourtlylife,IX.Repentanceisaninwardandself-reprehensionfortheneglectorX.This,whatisitinitself,andbyitself,accordingtoitsproperXI.Whenthouarthardtobestirredupandawakedoutofthysleep,XII.Aseveryfancyandimaginationpresentsitselfuntothee,considerXIII.Atthyfirstencounterwithanyone,saypresentlytothyself:XIV.Remember,thattochangethyminduponoccasion,andtofollowhimXV.Ifitwerethineactandinthineownpower,wouldestthoudoXVI.Whatsoeverdiethandfalleth,howeverandwheresoeveritdieXVII.Whatsoeveris,wasmadeforsomething:asahorse,avine.WhyXVIII.NaturehathitsendaswellintheendandfinalconsummationofXIX.Asonethattossethupaball.Andwhatisaballthebetter,ifXX.Thatwhichmustbethesubjectofthyconsideration,iseithertheXXI.Mostjustlyhavethesethingshappeneduntothee:whydostnotXXII.ShallIdoit?Iwill;sotheendofmyactionbetodogooduntoXXIII.Byoneactionjudgeofther

est:thisbathingwhichusuallytakesXXIV.LucillaburiedVerus;thenwasLucillaherselfburiedbyothers.XXV.Thetruejoyofaman,istodothatwhichproperlybelongsuntoaXXVI.Ifpainbeanevil,eitheritisinregardofthebody;(andthatXXVII.Wipeoffallidlefancies,andsayuntothyselfincessantly;NowXXVIII.WhetherthouspeakintheSenateorwhetherthouspeaktoanyXXIX.Augustushiscourt;hiswife,hisdaughter,hisnephews,hisXXX.ContractthywholelifetothemeasureandproportionofonesingleXXXI.Receivetemporalblessingswithoutostentation,whentheyaresentXXXII.Ifeverthousawesteitherahand,orafoot,oraheadlyingbyXXXIII.AsalmostallherotherfacultiesandpropertiesthenatureofXXXIV.LetnotthegeneralrepresentationuntothyselfoftheXXXV.What?areeitherPantheaorPergamusabidingtothisdaybytheirXXXVI.Ifthoubeestquick-sighted,besoinmatterofjudgment,andXXXVII.Inthewholeconstitutionofman,IseenotanyvirtuecontraryXXXVIII.Ifth

oucanstbutwithdrawconceitandopinionconcerningthatXXXIX.Thatwhichisahindranceofthesenses,isaneviltotheXL.Ifonceroundandsolid,thereisnofearthateveritwillchange.XLI.WhyshouldIgrievemyself;whoneverdidwillinglygrieveany


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XLII.Thistimethatisnowpresent,bestowthouuponthyself.TheythatXLIII.Takemeandthrowmewherethouwilt:Iamindifferent.ForthereXLIV.Isthisthenathingofthatworth,thatforitmysoulshouldXLV.Nothingcanhappenuntothee,whichisnotincidentaluntothee,asXLVI.RememberthatthymindisofthatnatureasthatitbecomethXLVII.Keepthyselftothefirstbareandnakedapprehensionsofthings,XLVIII.Isthecucumberbitter?setitaway.Bramblesareintheway?XLIX.Nottobeslackandnegligent;orloose,andwantoninthyL.'Theykillme,theycutmyflesh;theypersecutemypersonwithLI.Hethatknowethnotwhattheworldis,knowethnotwherehehimselfLII.Notonlynowhenceforthtohaveacommonbreath,ortoholdLIII.Wickednessingeneraldothnothurttheworld.ParticularLIV.Thesunseemethtobeshedabroad.AndindeeditisdiffusedbutLV.Hethatfearethdeath,eitherfeareththatheshallhavenosenseatLVI.Allmenaremadeoneforanother:eitherthenteachthembetter,orLVII.Themotionofthemindisnotasthemotionofadart.ForLVIII.Topierceandpenetrateintotheestateofeveryone'sTHENINTHBOOKI.Hethatisunjust,isalsoimpious.Forthenatureoftheuniverse,II.Itwereindeedmorehappyandcomfortable,foramantodepartoutIII.Thoumustnotinmatterofdeathcarrythyselfscornfully,butasIV.Hethatsinneth,sinnethuntohimself.Hethatisunjust,hurtsV.Ifmypresentapprehensionoftheobjectberight,andmypresentVI.Towipeawayfancy,tousedeliberation,toquenchconcup

iscence,toVII.Ofallunreasonablecreatures,thereisbutoneunreasonablesoul;VIII.Man,God,theworld,everyoneintheirkind,bearsomefruits.IX.Eitherteachthembetterifitbeinthypower;orifitbenot,X.Labournotasonetowhomitisappointedtobewretched,norasoneXI.ThisdayIdidcomeoutofallmytrouble.NayIhavecastoutallXII.Allthosethings,formatterofexperienceareusualandordinary;XIII.Thethingsthemselvesthataffectus,theystandwithoutdoors,XIV.Asvirtueandwickednessconsistnotinpassion,butinaction;soXV.Tothestonethatiscastup,whenitcomesdownitisnohurtuntoXVI.Sifttheirmindsandunderstandings,andbeholdwhatmentheybe,XVII.Allthingsthatareintheworld,arealwaysintheestateXVIII.itisnotthine,butanotherman'ssin.WhyshouldittroubleXIX.Ofanoperationandofapurposethereisanending,orofanXX.Asoccasionshallrequire,eithertothineownunderstanding,ortoXXI.Asthouthyself,whoeverthouart,were

madefortheperfectionandXXII.Children'sanger,merebabels;wretchedsoulsbearingupdeadXXIII.GotothequalityofthecausefromwhichtheeffectdothXXIV.Infinitearethetroublesandmiseries,thatthouhastalready


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XXV.Whenanyshalleitherimpeachtheewithfalseaccusations,orXXVI.Upanddown,fromoneagetoanother,gotheordinarythingsofXXVII.Withinawhiletheearthshallcoverusall,andthensheherselfXXVIII.Andtheseyourprofessedpoliticians,theonlytruepracticalXXIX.Fromsomehighplaceasitweretolookdown,andtobeholdXXX.Manyofthosethingsthattroubleandstraitenthee,itisinthyXXXI.Tocomprehendthewholeworldtogetherinthymind,andthewholeXXXII.Whataretheirmindsandunderstandings;andwhatthethingsthatXXXIII.Lossandcorruption,isinverydeednothingelsebutchangeandXXXIV.Howbaseandputrid,everycommonmatteris!Water,dust,andXXXV.Willthisquerulousness,thismurmuring,thiscomplainingandXXXVI.ItisallonetoseethesethingsforahundredofyearstogetherXXXVII.Ifhehavesinned,hisistheharm,notmine.ButperchanceheXXXVIII.EitherallthingsbytheprovidenceofreasonhappenuntoeveryXXXIX.Sayestthouuntothatrationalpart,Thouartdead;corruptionXL.EithertheGodscandonothingforusatall,ortheycanstillandXLI.'Inmysickness'(saithEpicurusofhimself:)'mydiscourseswereXLII.ItiscommontoalltradesandprofessionstomindandintendthatXLIII.Whenatanytimethouartoffendedwithanyone'simpudency,putTHETENTHBOOKI.Omysoul,thetimeItrustwillbe,whenthoushaltbegood,simple,II.Asonewhoisaltogethergovernedbynature,letitbethycaretoIII.Whatsoeverdothhappenuntothee,thouartnaturallybythynaturalIV.Himthatoffends,

toteachwithloveandmeekness,andtoshowhimV.Whatsoeveritbethathappensuntothee,itisthatwhichfromallVI.EitherwithEpicurus,wemustfondlyimaginetheatomstobetheVII.Allpartsoftheworld,(allthingsImeanthatarecontainedVIII.Nowthatthouhasttakenthesenamesupontheeofgood,modest,IX.Toysandfooleriesathome,warsabroad:sometimesterror,sometimesX.Asthespider,whenithathcaughttheflythatithuntedafter,isXI.Tofindout,andsettothyselfsomecertainwayandmethodofXII.Hehathgotloosefromthebondsofhisbody,andperceivingthatXIII.Whatuseisthereofsuspicionatall?or,whyshouldthoughtsXIV.Whatisthatthatisslow,andyetquick?merry,andyetgrave?HeXV.Inthemorningassoonasthouartawaked,whenthyjudgment,beforeXVI.Givewhatthouwilt,andtakeawaywhatthouwilt,saithhethatisXVII.Soliveasindifferenttotheworldandallworldlyobjects,asXVIII.Makeitnotanylongeramatterofdisputeordiscourse,whatareX

IX.Evertorepresentuntothyself;andtosetbeforethee,boththeXX.Considerthemthroughallactionsandoccupations,oftheirlives:XXI.Thatisbestforeveryone,thatthecommonnatureofalldothsendXXII.Theearth,saiththepoet,dothoftenlongaftertherain.Sois


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XXIII.EitherthoudostContinueinthiskindoflifeandthatisit,XXIVLetitalwaysappearandbemanifestuntotheethatsolitariness,XXV.Hethatrunsawayfromhismasterisafugitive.ButthelawisXXVI.Frommanistheseed,thatoncecastintothewombmanhathnoXXVII.Evertomindandconsiderwiththyself;howallthingsthatnowXXVIII.Asapigthatcriesandflingswhenhisthroatiscut,fancytoXXIX.Whatsoeveritisthatthougoestabout,considerofitbythyself,XXX.Whenthouartoffendedwithanyman'stransgression,presentlyXXXI.WhenthouseestSatyro,thinkofSocraticusandEutyches,orXXXII.Whatasubject,andwhatacourseoflifeisit,thatthoudoestXXXIII.Letitnotbeinanyman'spower,tosaytrulyofthee,thatXXXIV.Ashethatisbittenbyamaddog,isafraidofeverythingalmostXXXV.Agoodeyemustbegoodtoseewhatsoeveristobeseen,andnotXXXVI.Thereisnotanymanthatissohappyinhisdeath,butthatsomeXXXVII.Usethyself;asoften,asthouseestanymandoanything,XXXVIII.Remember,thatthatwhichsetsamanatwork,andhathpowerTHEELEVENTHBOOKI.Thenaturalproperties,andprivilegesofareasonablesoulare:ThatII.Apleasantsongordance;thePancratiast'sexercise,sportsthatIII.Thatsoulwhichiseverready,evennowpresently(ifneedbe)fromIV.HaveIdoneanythingcharitably?thenamIbenefitedbyit.SeeV.Tragedieswereatfirstbroughtinandinstituted,toputmeninmindVI.Howclearlydothitappearuntothee,thatnoothercourseofthyVII.Abranchcutofffromthe

continuityofthatwhichwasnextuntoVIII.TogrowtogetherlikefellowbranchesinmatterofgoodIX.Itisnotpossiblethatanynatureshouldbeinferioruntoart,X.Thethingsthemselves(whicheithertogetortoavoidthouartputXI.ThenisthesoulasEmpedoclesdothlikenit,likeuntoasphereorXII.Willanycontemnme?lethimlooktothat,uponwhatgroundsheXIII.Theycontemnoneanother,andyettheyseektopleaseoneanother:XIV.Howrottenandinsincereishe,thatsaith,IamresolvedtocarryXV.Tolivehappilyisaninwardpowerofthesoul,whensheisaffectedXVI.Ofeverythingthoumustconsiderfromwhenceitcame,ofwhatXVII.FourseveraldispositionsorinclinationstherebeofthemindandXVIII.Whatportionsoever,eitherofairorfiretherebeinthee,XIX.Hethathathnotoneandtheself-samegeneralendalwaysaslongXX.Rememberthefableofthecountrymouseandthecitymouse,andtheXXI.Socrateswaswonttocallthecommonconceitsandopinionsofmen,XXII.TheLacedaem

oniansattheirpublicspectacleswerewonttoappointXXIII.WhatSocratesanswereduntoPerdiccas,whyhedidnotcomeuntoXXIV.IntheancientmysticallettersoftheEphesians,therewasanXXV.ThePythagoreanswerewontbetimesinthemorningthefirstthing


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XXVI.HowSocrateslooked,whenhewasfaintogirdhimselfwithaXXVII.InmatterofwritingorreadingthoumustneedsbetaughtbeforeXXVIII.'Myheartsmiledwithinme.''TheywillaccuseevenvirtueXXIX.Astheythatlongafterfigsinwinterwhentheycannotbehad;soXXX.'Asoftenasafatherkissethhischild,heshouldsaysecretlyXXXI.'Ofthefreewillthereisnothieforrobber:'outofEpictetus;THETWELFTHBOOKI.Whatsoeverthoudoesthereafteraspireunto,thoumayestevennowII.Godbeholdsourmindsandunderstandings,bareandnakedfromtheseIII.Ihaveoftenwonderedhowitshouldcometopass,thateverymanIV.howcomeittopassthattheGodshavingorderedallotherthingsV.UsethyselfevenuntothosethingsthatthoudoestatfirstdespairVI.Letthesebetheobjectsofthyordinarymeditation:toconsider,VII.Allworldlythingsthoumustbeholdandconsider,dividingthemVIII.HowhappyismaninthishispowerthathathbeengranteduntoIX.WhatsoeverdothhappenintheordinarycourseandconsequenceofX.Howridiculousandstrangeishe,thatwondersatanythingthatXI.Eitherfate,(andthateitheranabsolutenecessity,andunavoidableXII.AttheconceitandapprehensionthatsuchandsuchaonehathXIII.Ifitbenotfitting,doitnot.Ifitbenottrue,speakitnot.XIV.Ofeverythingthatpresentsitselfuntothee,toconsiderwhattheXV.Itishightimeforthee,tounderstandthatthereissomewhatinXVI.Rememberthatallisbutopinion,andallopiniondependsoftheXVII.Nooperationwhatsoeverithe,ceasin

gforawhile,canbetrulyXVIII.Thesethreethingsthoumusthavealwaysinareadiness:firstXIX.Castawayfromtheeopinion,andthouartsafe.AndwhatisitthatXX.Letthythoughtseverrunuponthem,whoonceforsomeonethingorXXI.Tothemthataskthee,WherehastthouseentheGods,orhowXXII.Hereindothconsisthappinessoflife,foramantoknowXXIII.Thereisbutonelightofthesun,thoughitbeinterceptedbyXXIV.Whatdoestthoudesire?Tolivelong.What?ToenjoytheXXV.Whatasmallportionofvastandinfiniteeternityitis,thatisXXVI.Whatisthepresentestateofmyunderstanding?ForhereinliethXXVII.Tostirupamantothecontemptofdeaththisamongother


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INTRODUCTIONMARCUSAURELIUSANTONINUSwasbornonApril26,A.D.121.HisrealnamewasM.AnniusVerus,andhewassprungofanoblefamilywhichclaimeddescentfromNuma,secondKingofRome.Thusthemostreligiousofemperorscameofthebloodofthemostpiousofearlykings.Hisfather,AnniusVerus,hadheldhighofficeinRome,andhisgrandfather,ofthesamename,hadbeenthriceConsul.Bothhisparentsdiedyoung,butMarcusheldtheminlovingremembrance.Onhisfather'sdeathMarcuswasadoptedbyhisgrandfather,theconsularAnniusVerus,andtherewasdeeplovebetweenthesetwo.OntheveryfirstpageofhisbookMarcusgratefullydeclareshowofhisgrandfatherhehadlearnedtobegentleandmeek,andtorefrainfromallangerandpassion.TheEmperorHadriandivinedthefinecharacterofthelad,whomheusedtocallnotVerusbutVerissimus,moreTruthfulthanhisownname.HeadvancedMarcustoequestrianrankwhensixyearsofage,andattheageofeightmadehimamemberoftheancientSalianpriesthood.Theboy'saunt,AnniaGaleriaFaustina,wasmarriedtoAntoninusPius,afterwardsemperor.HenceitcameaboutthatAntoninus,havingnoson,adoptedMarcus,changinghisnametothatwhichheisknownby,andbetrothedhimtohisdaughterFaustina.Hiseducationwasconductedwithallcare.Theablestteacherswereengagedforhim,andhewastrainedinthestrictdoctrineoftheStoicphilosophy,whichwashisgreatdelight.Hewastaughttodressplainlyandtolivesimply,to

avoidallsoftnessandluxury.Hisbodywastrainedtohardihoodbywrestling,hunting,andoutdoorgames;andthoughhisconstitutionwasweak,heshowedgreatpersonalcouragetoencounterthefiercestboars.Atthesametimehewaskeptfromtheextravaganciesofhisday.ThegreatexcitementinRomewasthestrifeoftheFactions,astheywerecalled,inthecircus.Theracingdriversusedtoadoptoneoffourcoloursred,blue,white,orgreenandtheirpartisansshowedanrnessinsupportingthemwhichnothingcouldsurpass.Riotandcorruptionwentinthetrainoftheracingchariots;andfromallthesethingsMarcusheldseverelyaloof.In140Marcuswasraisedtotheconsulship,andin145hisbetrothalwasconsummatedbymarriage.TwoyearslaterFaustinabroughthimadaughter;andsoonafterthetribunateandotherimperialhonourswereconferreduponhim.AntoninusPiusdiedin161,andMarcusassumedtheimperialstate.HeatonceassociatedwithhimselfL.CeioniusCommodus,whomAntoninushadadoptedasayounge

rsonatthesametimewithMarcus,givinghimthenameofLuciusAureliusVerus.Henceforththetwoarecolleaguesintheempire,thejuniorbeingtrainedasitweretosucceed.NosoonerwasMarcussettleduponthethronethanwarsbrokeoutonallsides.Intheeast,VologesesIII.ofParthiabeganalong-meditatedrevoltbydestroyingawholeRomanLegionandinvadingSyria(162).Veruswassentoffinhothastetoquellthisrising;andhefulfilledhistrustbyplungingintodrunkennessanddebauchery,whilethewarwaslefttohisofficers.SoonafterMarcushadtofaceamoreseriousdangerathomeinthecoalitionofseveralpowerfultribesonthenorthernfrontier.ChiefamongthoseweretheMarcomanniorMarchmen,theQuadi(mentionedinthisbook),theSarmatians,theCatti,theJazyges.InRomeitselftherewaspestilenceandstarvation,theonebroughtfromtheeastbyVerus'slegions,theothercausedbyfloodswhichhaddestroyedvastquantitiesofgrain.Afterallhadbeendonepossibletoallayfamineandt

osupplypressingneedsMarcusbeingforcedeventoselltheimperialjewelstofindmoneybothemperorssetforthtoastrugglewhichwastocontinuemoreorlessduringtherestofMarcus'sreign.Duringthesewars,in169,Verusdied.Wehavenomeansoffollowingthecampaignsindetail;butthusmuchiscertain,thatintheendtheRomanssucceededincrushingthebarbariantribes,andeffectingasettlementwhichmadetheempiremoresecure.Marcuswashimselfcommander-in-chief,andvictorywasduenolesstohisownabilitythantohiswisdominchoiceoflieutenants,shownconspicuouslyinthecaseofPertinax.Therewereseveralimportantbattlesfoughtinthesecampaigns;andoneofthemhasbecomecelebratedforthelegendoftheThunderingLegion.InabattleagainsttheQuadiin174,

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thedayseemedtobegoinginfavourofthefoe,whenonasuddenaroseagreatstormofthunderandrainthelightningstruckthebarbarianswithterror,andtheyturnedtorout.InlaterdaysthisstormwassaidtohavebeensentinanswertotheprayersofalegionwhichcontainedmanyChristians,andthenameThunderingLegionshouldbegiventoitonthisaccount.ThetitleofThundering


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Legionisknownatanearlierdate,sothispartofthestoryatleastcannotbetrue;buttheaidofthestormisacknowledgedbyoneofthescenescarvedonAntonine'sColumnatRome,whichcommemoratesthesewars.Thesettlementmadeafterthesetroublesmighthavebeenmoresatisfactorybutforanunexpectedrisingintheeast.AvidiusCassius,anablecaptainwhohadwonrenownintheParthianwars,wasatthistimechiefgovernoroftheeasternprovinces.Bywhatevermeansinduced,hehadconceivedtheprojectofproclaiminghimselfemperorassoonasMarcus,whowastheninfeeblehealth,shoulddie;andareporthavingbeenconveyedtohimthatMarcuswasdead,Cassiusdidashehadplanned.Marcus,onhearingthenews,immediatelypatchedupapeaceandreturnedhometomeetthisnewperil.Theemperorsgreatgriefwasthathemustneedsengageinthehorrorsofcivilstrife.HepraisedthequalitiesofCassius,andexpressedaheartfeltwishthatCassiusmightnotbedriventodohimselfahurtbeforeheshouldhavetheopportunitytograntafreepardon.ButbeforehecouldcometotheeastnewshadcometoCassiusthattheemperorstilllived;hisfollowersfellawayfromhim,andhewasassassinated.Marcusnowwenttotheeast,andwhiletherethemurderersbroughttheheadofCassiustohim;buttheemperorindignantlyrefusedtheirgift,norwouldheadmitthementohispresence.Onthisjourneyhiswife,Faustina,died.Athisreturntheemperorcelebratedatriumph(176).ImmediatelyafterwardsherepairedtoGermany,andtookuponcemoretheburdenofw

ar.Hisoperationswerefollowedbycompletesuccess;butthetroublesoflateyearshadbeentoomuchforhisconstitution,atnotimerobust,andonMarch17,180,hediedinPannonia.Thegoodemperorwasnotspareddomestictroubles.Faustinahadbornehimseveralchildren,ofwhomhewaspassionatelyfond.Theirinnocentfacesmaystillbeseeninmanyasculpturegallery,recallingwithoddeffectthedreamycountenanceoftheirfather.Buttheydiedonebyone,andwhenMarcuscametohisownendonlyoneofhissonsstilllivedtheweakandworthlessCommodus.Onhisfather'sdeathCommodus,whosucceededhim,undidtheworkofmanycampaignsbyahastyandunwisepeace;andhisreignoftwelveyearsprovedhimtobeaferociousandbloodthirstytyrant.ScandalhasmadefreewiththenameofFaustinaherself,whoisaccusednotonlyofunfaithfulness,butofintriguingwithCassiusandegginghimontohisfatalrebellion,itmustbeadmittedthatthesechargesrestonnosureevidence;andtheemperor,atallevents,lo

vedherdearly,noreverfelttheslightestqualmofsuspicion.AsasoldierwehaveseenthatMarcuswasbothcapableandsuccessful;asanadministratorhewasprudentandconscientious.Althoughsteepedintheteachingsofphilosophy,hedidnotattempttoremodeltheworldonanypreconceivedplan.Hetrodthepathbeatenbyhispredecessors,seekingonlytodohisdutyaswellashecould,andtokeepoutcorruption.Hedidsomeunwisethings,itistrue.Tocreateacompeerinempire,ashedidwithVerus,wasadangerousinnovationwhichcouldonlysucceedifoneofthetwoeffacedhimself;andunderDiocletianthisveryprecedentcausedtheRomanEmpiretosplitintohalves.Heerredinhisciviladministrationbytoomuchcentralising.Butthestrongpointofhisreignwastheadministrationofjustice.Marcussoughtby-lawstoprotecttheweak,tomakethelotoftheslaveslesshard,tostandinplaceoffathertothefatherless.Charitablefoundationswereendowedforrearingandeducatingpoorchildren.Theprov

inceswereprotectedagainstoppression,andpublichelpwasgiventocitiesordistrictswhichmightbevisitedbycalamity.Thegreatblotonhisname,andonehardindeedtoexplain,ishistreatmentoftheChristians.InhisreignJustinatRomebecameamartyrtohisfaith,andPolycarpatSmyrna,andweknowofmanyoutbreaksoffanaticismintheprovinceswhichcausedthedeathofthefaithful.Itisnoexcusetopleadthatheknewnothingabouttheatrocitiesdoneinhisname:itwashisdutytoknow,andifhedidnothewouldhavebeenthefirsttoconfessthathehadfailedinhisduty.ButfromhisowntoneinspeakingoftheChristiansitisclearheknewthemonlyfromcalumny;andwehearofnomeasurestakeneventosecurethattheyshouldhaveafairhearing.Inthisrespe

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ctTrajanwasbetterthanhe.ToathoughtfulmindsuchareligionasthatofRomewouldgivesmallsatisfaction.Itslegendswereoftenchildishorimpossible;itsteachinghadlittletodowithmorality.TheRomanreligionwasinfactofthenatureofabargain:menpaidcertainsacrificesandrites,andthegodsgrantedtheirfavour,irrespectiveofrightorwrong.Inthiscasealldevoutsoulswerethrownbackuponphilosophy,astheyhadbeen,thoughtoalessextent,inGreece.Therewereunder


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theearlyempiretworivalschoolswhichpracticallydividedthefieldbetweenthem,StoicismandEpicureanism.Theidealsetbeforeeachwasnominallymuchthesame.TheStoicsaspiredtotherepressionofallemotion,andtheEpicureanstofreedomfromalldisturbance;yetintheupshottheonehasbecomeasynonymofstubbornendurance,theotherforunbridledlicence.WithEpicureanismwehavenothingtodonow;butitwillbeworthwhiletosketchthehistoryandtenetsoftheStoicsect.Zeno,thefounderofStoicism,wasborninCyprusatsomedateunknown,buthislifemaybesaidroughlytobebetweentheyears350and250B.C.Cyprushasbeenfromtimeimmemorialameeting-placeoftheEastandWest,andalthoughwecannotgrantanyimportancetoapossiblestrainofPhoenicianbloodinhim(forthePhoenicianswerenophilosophers),yetitisquitelikelythatthroughAsiaMinorhemayhavecomeintouchwiththeFarEast.HestudiedunderthecynicCrates,buthedidnotneglectotherphilosophicalsystems.Aftermanyyears'studyheopenedhisownschoolinacolonnadeinAthenscalledthePaintedPorch,orStoa,whichgavetheStoicstheirname.NexttoZeno,theSchoolofthePorchowesmosttoChrysippus(280207b.c.),whoorganisedStoicismintoasystem.Ofhimitwassaid,'ButforChrysippus,therehadbeennoPorch.'TheStoicsregardedspeculationasameanstoanendandthatendwas,asZenoputit,toliveconsistentlyomologonuenwszhnorasitwaslaterexplained,toliveinconformitywithnature.Thisconformingofthelifetonatureoralogoumenwz

thfuseizhn.wastheStoicideaofVirtue.Thisdictummighteasilybetakentomeanthatvirtueconsistsinyieldingtoeachnaturalimpulse;butthatwasveryfarfromtheStoicmeaning.Inordertoliveinaccordwithnature,itisnecessarytoknowwhatnatureis;andtothisendathreefolddivisionofphilosophyismadeintoPhysics,dealingwiththeuniverseanditslaws,theproblemsofdivinegovernmentandteleology;Logic,whichtrainsthemindtodiscerntruefromfalse;andEthics,whichappliestheknowledgethusgainedandtestedtopracticallife.TheStoicsystemofphysicswasmaterialismwithaninfusionofpantheism.IncontradictiontoPlato'sviewthattheIdeas,orPrototypes,ofphenomenaalonereallyexist,theStoicsheldthatmaterialobjectsaloneexisted;butimmanentinthematerialuniversewasaspiritualforcewhichactedthroughthem,manifestingitselfundermanyforms,asfire,aether,spirit,soul,reason,therulingprinciple.Theuniverse,then,isGod,ofwhomthepopulargodsaremanifes

tations;whilelegendsandmythsareallegorical.Thesoulofmanisthusanemanationfromthegodhead,intowhomitwilleventuallybere-absorbed.Thedivinerulingprinciplemakesallthingsworktogetherforgood,butforthegoodofthewhole.ThehighestgoodofmanisconsciouslytoworkwithGodforthecommongood,andthisisthesenseinwhichtheStoictriedtoliveinaccordwithnature.Intheindividualitisvirtuealonewhichenableshimtodothis;asProvidencerulestheuniverse,sovirtueinthesoulmustruleman.InLogic,theStoicsystemisnoteworthyfortheirtheoryastothetestoftruth,theCriterion.Theycomparedthenew-bornsoultoasheetofpaperreadyforwriting.Uponthisthesenseswritetheirimpressions,fantasiasandbyexperienceofanumberofthesethesoulunconsciouslyconceivesgeneralnotionskoinaieunoiaioranticipations.prolhyeisWhentheimpressionwassuchastobeirresistibleitwascalled(katalnptikhfantasia)onethatholdsfast,orastheyexplainedit,onepro

ceedingfromtruth.Ideasandinferencesartificiallyproducedbydeductionorthelikeweretestedbythis'holdingperception.'OftheEthicalapplicationIhavealreadyspoken.Thehighestgoodwasthevirtuouslife.Virtuealoneishappiness,andviceisunhappiness.Carryingthistheorytoitsextreme,theStoicsaidthattherecouldbenogradationsbetweenvirtueandvice,thoughofcourseeachhasitsspecialmanifestations.Moreover,nothingisgoodbutvirtue,andnothingbutviceisbad.Thoseoutsidethingswhicharecommonlycalledgoodorbad,suchashealthandsickness,wealthandpoverty,pleasureandpain,aretohimindifferentadiofora.Allthesethingsaremerelythesphereinwhichvirtuemayact.TheidealWiseManissufficientuntohimselfinallthings,autarkhsa

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ndknowingthesetruths,hewillbehappyevenwhenstretchedupontherack.ItisprobablethatnoStoicclaimedforhimselfthathewasthisWiseMan,butthateachstroveafteritasanidealmuchastheChristianstrivesafteralikenesstoChrist.Theexaggerationinthisstatementwas,however,soobvious,thatthelaterStoicsweredriventomakeafurthersubdivisionofthingsindifferentintowhatispreferable(prohgmena)andwhatisundesirable.Theyalsoheldthatforhimwhohadnotattainedtotheperfectwisdom,certainactionswereproper.(kaqhkonta)Thesewereneithervirtuousnorvicious,but,liketheindifferentthings,heldamiddleplace.TwopointsintheStoic


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systemdeservespecialmention.Oneisacarefuldistinctionbetweenthingswhichareinourpowerandthingswhicharenot.Desireanddislike,opinionandaffection,arewithinthepowerofthewill;whereashealth,wealth,honour,andothersucharegenerallynotso.TheStoicwascalledupontocontrolhisdesiresandaffections,andtoguidehisopinion;tobringhiswholebeingundertheswayofthewillorleadingprinciple,justastheuniverseisguidedandgovernedbydivineProvidence.ThisisaspecialapplicationofthefavouriteGreekvirtueofmoderation,(swfrosuum)andhasalsoitsparallelinChristianethics.Thesecondpointisastronginsistenceontheunityoftheuniverse,andonman'sdutyaspartofagreatwhole.Publicspiritwasthemostsplendidpoliticalvirtueoftheancientworld,anditisheremadecosmopolitan.ItisagaininstructivetonotethatChristiansagesinsistedonthesamething.Christiansaretaughtthattheyaremembersofaworldwidebrotherhood,whereisneitherGreeknorHebrew,bondnorfreeandthattheylivetheirlivesasfellow-workerswithGod.SuchisthesystemwhichunderliestheMeditationsofMarcusAurelius.Someknowledgeofitisnecessarytotherightunderstandingofthebook,butforusthechiefinterestlieselsewhere.WedonotcometoMarcusAureliusforatreatiseonStoicism.Heisnoheadofaschooltolaydownabodyofdoctrineforstudents;hedoesnotevencontemplatethatothersshouldreadwhathewrites.Hisphilosophyisnotaneagerintellectualinquiry,butmorewhatweshouldcallrelig

iousfeeling.TheuncompromisingstiffnessofZenoorChrysippusissoftenedandtransformedbypassingthroughanaturereverentandtolerant,gentleandfreefromguile;thegrimresignationwhichmadelifepossibletotheStoicsagebecomesinhimalmostamoodofaspiration.Hisbookrecordstheinnermostthoughtsofhisheart,setdowntoeaseit,withsuchmoralmaximsandreflectionsasmayhelphimtobeartheburdenofdutyandthecountlessannoyancesofabusylife.ItisinstructivetocomparetheMeditationswithanotherfamousbook,theImitationofChrist.Thereisthesameidealofself-controlinboth.Itshouldbeaman'stask,saystheImitation,'toovercomehimself,andeverydaytobestrongerthanhimself.''Inwithstandingofthepassionsstandethverypeaceofheart.''Letussettheaxetotheroot,thatwebeingpurgedofourpassionsmayhaveapeaceablemind.'Tothisendtheremustbecontinualself-examination.'Ifthoumaynotcontinuallygatherthyselftogether,namelysometimesdoit,atlea

stonceaday,themorningortheevening.Inthemorningpurpose,intheeveningdiscussthemanner,whatthouhastbeenthisday,inword,work,andthought.'ButwhiletheRoman'stemperisamodestself-reliance,theChristianaimsatamorepassivemood,humblenessandmeekness,andrelianceonthepresenceandpersonalfriendshipofGod.TheRomanscrutiniseshisfaultswithseverity,butwithouttheself-contemptwhichmakestheChristian'vileinhisownsight.'TheChristian,liketheRoman,bids'studytowithdrawthineheartfromtheloveofthingsvisible';butitisnotthebusylifeofdutyhehasinmindsomuchasthecontemptofallworldlythings,andthe'cuttingawayofalllowerdelectations.'Bothratemen'spraiseorblameattheirrealworthlessness;'Letnotthypeace,'saystheChristian,'beinthemouthsofmen.'ButitistoGod'scensuretheChristianappeals,theRomantohisownsoul.Thepettyannoyancesofinjusticeorunkindnessarelookedonbyeachwiththesamemagnanimity.'Whydothal

ittlethingsaidordoneagainsttheemaketheesorry?Itisnonewthing;itisnotthefirst,norshallitbethelast,ifthoulivelong.Atbestsufferpatiently,ifthoucanstnotsufferjoyously.'TheChristianshouldsorrowmoreforothermen'smalicethanforourownwrongs;buttheRomanisinclinedtowashhishandsoftheoffender.'Studytobepatientinsufferingandbearingothermen'sdefaultsandallmannerinfirmities,'saystheChristian;buttheRomanwouldneverhavethoughttoadd,'Ifallmenwereperfect,whathadwethentosufferofothermenforGod?'ThevirtueofsufferinginitselfisanideawhichdoesnotmeetusintheMeditations.Bothalikerealisethatmanisoneofagreatcommunity.'Nomanissufficienttohimself,'saystheChristian;'wemustbearto

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gether,helptogether,comforttogether.'Butwhileheseesachiefimportanceinzeal,inexaltedemotionthatis,andavoidanceoflukewarmness,theRomanthoughtmainlyofthedutytobedoneaswellasmightbe,andlessofthefeelingwhichshouldgowiththedoingofit.Tothesaintastotheemperor,theworldisapoorthingatbest.'Verilyitisamiserytoliveupontheearth,'saystheChristian;fewandevilarethedaysofman'slife,whichpassethawaysuddenlyasashadow.Butthereisonegreatdifferencebetweenthetwobooksweareconsidering.TheImitationisaddressedtoothers,theMeditationsbythewritertohimself.WelearnnothingfromtheImitationoftheauthor'sownlife,exceptinsofarashemaybeassumedtohavepractisedhis


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ownpreachings;theMeditationsreflectmoodbymoodthemindofhimwhowrotethem.Intheirintimacyandfranknessliestheirgreatcharm.Thesenotesarenotsermons;theyarenotevenconfessions.Thereisalwaysanairofself-consciousnessinconfessions;insuchrevelationsthereisalwaysadangerofunctuousnessorofvulgarityforthebestofmen.St.Augus-tineisnotalwaysclearofoffence,andJohnBunyanhimselfexaggeratesvenialpeccadilloesintoheinoussins.ButMarcusAureliusisneithervulgarnorunctuous;heextenuatesnothing,butnothingsetsdowninmalice.Heneverposesbeforeanaudience;hemaynotbeprofound,heisalwayssincere.Anditisaloftyandserenesoulwhichisheredisclosedbeforeus.Vulgarvicesseemtohavenotemptationforhim;thisisnotonetiedandboundwithchainswhichhestrivestobreak.Thefaultshedetectsinhimselfareoftensuchasmostmenwouldhavenoeyestosee.Toservethedivinespiritwhichisimplantedwithinhim,amanmust'keephimselfpurefromallviolentpassionandevilaffection,fromallrashnessandvanity,andfromallmannerofdiscontent,eitherinregardofthegodsormen':or,ashesayselsewhere,'unspottedbypleasure,undauntedbypain.'Unwaveringcourtesyandconsiderationarehisaims.'Whatsoeveranymaneitherdothorsaith,thoumustbegood;''dothanymanoffend?Itisagainsthimselfthathedothoffend:whyshouldittroublethee?'Theoffenderneedspity,notwrath;thosewhomustneedsbecorrected,shouldbetreatedwithtactandgentleness;andonemustbealwaysre

adytolearnbetter.'Thebestkindofrevengeis,nottobecomelikeuntothem.'Therearesomanyhintsofoffenceforgiven,thatwemaybelievethenotesfollowedsharponthefacts.Perhapshehasfallenshortofhisaim,andthusseekstocallhisprinciplestomind,andtostrengthenhimselfforthefuture.ThatthesesayingsarenotmeretalkisplainfromthestoryofAvidiusCassius,whowouldhaveusurpedhisimperialthrone.Thustheemperorfaithfullycarriesouthisownprinciple,thatevilmustbeovercomewithgood.Foreachfaultinothers,Nature(sayshe)hasgivenusacounteractingvirtue;'as,forexample,againsttheunthankful,ithathgivengoodnessandmeekness,asanantidote.'Onesogentletowardsafoewassuretobeagoodfriend;andindeedhispagesarefullofgenerousgratitudetothosewhohadservedhim.InhisFirstBookhesetsdowntoaccountallthedebtsduetohiskinsfolkandteachers.Tohisgrandfatherheowedhisowngentlespirit,tohisfathershamefastnessandcourage;helear

ntofhismothertobereligiousandbountifulandsingle-minded.Rusticusdidnotworkinvain,ifheshowedhispupilthathislifeneededamending.Apolloniustaughthimsimplicity,reasonableness,gratitude,aloveoftrueliberty.Sothelistrunson;everyonehehaddealingswithseemstohavegivenhimsomethinggood,asureproofofthegoodnessofhisnature,whichthoughtnoevil.IfhiswasthathonestandtrueheartwhichistheChristianideal,thisisthemorewonderfulinthathelackedthefaithwhichmakesChristiansstrong.Hecouldsay,itistrue,'eitherthereisaGod,andthenalliswell;orifallthingsgobychanceandfortune,yetmayestthouusethineownprovidenceinthosethingsthatconcerntheeproperly;andthenartthouwell.'Oragain,'Wemustneedsgrantthatthereisanaturethatdothgoverntheuniverse.'Buthisownpartintheschemeofthingsissosmall,thathedoesnothopeforanypersonalhappinessbeyondwhataserenesoulmaywininthismortallife.'Omysoul,thetimeI

trustwillbe,whenthoushaltbegood,simple,moreopenandvisible,thanthatbodybywhichitisenclosed;'butthisissaidofthecalmcontentmentwithhumanlotwhichhehopestoattain,notofatimewhenthetrammelsofthebodyshallbecastoff.Fortherest,theworldanditsfameandwealth,'allisvanity.'Thegodsmayperhapshaveaparticularcareforhim,buttheirespecialcareisfortheuniverseatlarge:thusmuchshouldsuffice.HisgodsarebetterthantheStoicgods,whositalooffromallhumanthings,untroubledanduncaring,buthispersonalhopeishardlystronger.Onthispointhesayslittle,thoughtherearemanyallusionstodeathasthenaturalend;doubtlessheexpectedhissoulonedaytobeabsorbedintotheuniversalsoul,sincenothingcomesoutofn

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othing,andnothingcanbeannihilated.Hismoodisoneofstrenuousweariness;hedoeshisdutyasagoodsoldier,waitingforthesoundofthetrumpetwhichshallsoundtheretreat;hehasnotthatcheerfulconfidencewhichledSocratesthroughalifenolessnoble,toadeathwhichwastobringhimintothecompanyofgodshehadworshippedandmenwhomhehadrevered.ButalthoughMarcusAureliusmayhaveheldintellectuallythathissoulwasdestinedtobeabsorbed,andtoloseconsciousnessofitself,thereweretimeswhenhefelt,asallwhoholditmustsometimesfeel,howunsatisfyingissuchacreed.Thenhegropesblindlyaftersomethinglessemptyandvain.'Thouhasttakenship,'hesays,'thouhastsailed,thouartcometoland,goout,iftoanotherlife,therealsoshaltthoufindgods,whoareeverywhere.'Thereismoreinthis


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thantheassumptionofarivaltheoryforargument'ssake.Ifworldlythings'bebutasadream,thethoughtisnotfaroffthattheremaybeanawakeningtowhatisreal.Whenhespeaksofdeathasanecessarychange,andpointsoutthatnothingusefulandprofitablecanbebroughtaboutwithoutchange,didheperhapsthinkofthechangeinacornofwheat,whichisnotquickenedexceptitdie?Nature'smarvellouspowerofrecreatingoutofCorruptionissurelynotconfinedtobodilythings.Manyofhisthoughtssoundlikefar-offechoesofSt.Paul;anditisstrangeindeedthatthismostChristianofemperorshasnothinggoodtosayoftheChristians.Tohimtheyareonlysectaries'violentlyandpassionatelysetuponopposition.ProfoundasphilosophytheseMeditationscertainlyarenot;butMarcusAureliuswastoosincerenottoseetheessenceofsuchthingsascamewithinhisexperience.Ancientreligionswereforthemostpartconcernedwithoutwardthings.Dothenecessaryrites,andyoupropitiatethegods;andtheseriteswereoftentrivial,sometimesviolatedrightfeelingorevenmorality.Evenwhenthegodsstoodonthesideofrighteousness,theywereconcernedwiththeactmorethanwiththeintent.ButMarcusAureliusknowsthatwhattheheartisfullof,themanwilldo.'Suchasthythoughtsandordinarycogitationsare,'hesays,'suchwillthymindbeintime.'Andeverypageofthebookshowsusthatheknewthoughtwassuretoissueinact.Hedrillshissoul,asitwere,inrightprinciples,thatwhenthetimecomes,itmaybeguidedbythem.Towait

untiltheemergencyistobetoolate.Heseesalsothetrueessenceofhappiness.'Ifhappinessdidconsistinpleasure,howcamenotoriousrobbers,impureabominablelivers,parricides,andtyrants,insolargeameasuretohavetheirpartofpleasures?'Hewhohadalltheworld'spleasuresatcommandcanwritethus'Ahappylotandportionis,goodinclinationsofthesoul,gooddesires,goodactions.'Bytheironyoffatethisman,sogentleandgood,sodesirousofquietjoysandamindfreefromcare,wassetattheheadoftheRomanEmpirewhengreatdangersthreatenedfromeastandwest.Forseveralyearshehimselfcommandedhisarmiesinchief.IncampbeforetheQuadihedatesthefirstbookofhisMeditations,andshowshowhecouldretirewithinhimselfamidthecoarseclangourofarms.Thepompsandglorieswhichhedespisedwereallhis;whattomostmenisanambitionoradream,tohimwasaroundofwearytaskswhichnothingbutthesternsenseofdutycouldcarryhimthrough.Andhedidhisworkwell.His

warswereslowandtedious,butsuccessful.Withastatesman'swisdomheforesawthedangertoRomeofthebarbarianhordesfromthenorth,andtookmeasurestomeetit.Asitwas,hissettlementgavetwocenturiesofrespitetotheRomanEmpire;hadhefulfilledtheplanofpushingtheimperialfrontierstotheElbe,whichseemstohavebeeninhismind,muchmoremighthavebeenaccomplished.Butdeathcutshorthisdesigns.TrulyarareopportunitywasgiventoMarcusAureliusofshowingwhatthemindcandoindespiteofcircumstances.Mostpeacefulofwarriors,amagnificentmonarchwhoseidealwasquiethappinessinhomelife,benttoobscurityyetborntogreatness,thelovingfatherofchildrenwhodiedyoungorturnedouthateful,hislifewasoneparadox.Thatnothingmightlack,itwasincampbeforethefaceoftheenemythathepassedawayandwenttohisownplace.TranslationsTHEfollowingisalistofthechiefEnglishtranslationsofMarcusAurelius:(1)ByMericCasaubon,1634;(2)JeremyCollier,1701;(

3)JamesThomson,1747;(4)R.Graves,1792;(5)H.McCormac,1844;(6)GeorgeLong,1862;(7)G.H.Rendall,1898;and(8)J.Jackson,1906.Renan's"Marc-Aurhle"inhis"HistoryoftheOriginsofChristianity,"whichappearedin1882isthevitalandoriginalbooktobehadrelatingtothetimeofMarcusAurelius.Pater's"MariustheEpicurean"formsanotheroutsidecommentary,whichisofserviceintheimaginativeattempttocreateagaintheperiod.


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HISFIRSTBOOKconcerningHIMSELF:WhereinAntoninusrecordeth,Whatandofwhom,whetherParents,Friends,orMasters;bytheirgoodexamples,orgoodadviceandcounsel,hehadlearned:DividedintoNumbersorSections.ANTONINUSBookvi.Num.xlviii.Whensoeverthouwiltrejoicethyself,thinkandmeditateuponthosegoodpartsandespecialgifts,whichthouhastobservedinanyofthemthatlivewiththee:asindustryinone,inanothermodesty,inanotherbountifulness,inanothersomeotherthing.Fornothingcansomuchrejoicethee,astheresemblancesandparallelsofseveralvirtues,eminentinthedispositionsofthemthatlivewiththee,especiallywhenallatonce,asitwere,theyrepresentthemselvesuntothee.Seetherefore,thatthouhavethemalwaysinareadiness.THEFIRSTBOOK

I.OfmygrandfatherVerusIhavelearnedtobegentleandmeek,andtorefrainfromallangerandpassion.FromthefameandmemoryofhimthatbegotmeIhavelearnedbothshamefastnessandmanlikebehaviour.OfmymotherIhavelearnedtobereligious,andbountiful;andtoforbear,notonlytodo,buttointendanyevil;tocontentmyselfwithasparediet,andtoflyallsuchexcessasisincidentaltogreatwealth.Ofmygreatgrandfather,bothtofrequentpublicschoolsandauditories,andtogetmegoodandableteachersathome;andthatIought

nottothinkmuch,ifuponsuchoccasions,Iwereatexcessivecharges.

II.Ofhimthatbroughtmeup,nottobefondlyaddictedtoeitherofthetwogreatfactionsofthecoursersinthecircus,calledPrasini,andVeneti:norintheamphitheatrepartiallytofavouranyofthegladiators,orfencers,aseithertheParmularii,ortheSecutores.Moreover,toendurelabour;nortoneedmanythings;whenIhaveanythingtodo,todoitmyselfratherthanbyothers;nottomeddlewithmanybusinesses;andnoteasilytoadmitofanyslander.

III.OfDiognetus,nottobusymyselfaboutvainthings,andnoteasilytobelievethosethings,whicharecommonlyspoken,bysuchastakeuponthemtoworkwonders,andbysorcerers,orprestidigitators,andimpostors;concerningthepowerofcharms,


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andtheirdrivingoutofdemons,orevilspirits;andthelike.Nottokeepquailsforthegame;nortobemadaftersuchthings.Nottobeoffendedwithothermen'slibertyofspeech,andtoapplymyselfuntophilosophy.HimalsoImustthank,thateverIheardfirstBacchius,thenTandasisandMarcianus,andthatIdidwritedialoguesinmyyouth;andthatItooklikingtothephilosophers'littlecouchandskins,andsuchotherthings,whichbytheGreciandisciplinearepropertothosewhoprofessphilosophy.

IV.ToRusticusIambeholding,thatIfirstenteredintotheconceitthatmylifewantedsomeredressandcure.Andthen,thatIdidnotfallintotheambitionofordinarysophists,eithertowritetractsconcerningthecommontheorems,ortoexhortmenuntovirtueandthestudyofphilosophybypublicorations;asalsothatIneverbywayofostentationdidaffecttoshowmyselfanactiveableman,foranykindofbodilyexercises.AndthatIgaveoverthestudyofrhetoricandpoetry,andofelegantneatlanguage.ThatIdidnotusetowalkaboutthehouseinmylongrobe,nortodoanysuchthings.MoreoverIlearnedofhimtowriteletterswithoutanyaffectation,orcuriosity;suchasthatwas,whichbyhimwaswrittentomymotherfromSinuessa:andtobeeasyandreadytobereconciled,andwellpleasedagainwiththemthathadoffendedme,assoonasanyofthemwouldbecontenttoseekuntomeagain.Toreadwithdiligence;nottorest

satisfiedwithalightandsuperficialknowledge,norquicklytoassenttothingscommonlyspokenof:whomalsoImustthankthateverIlighteduponEpictetushisHypomnemata,ormoralcommentariesandcommon-factions:whichalsohegavemeofhisown.

V.FromApollonius,trueliberty,andunvariablesteadfastness,andnottoregardanythingatall,thoughneversolittle,butrightandreason:andalways,whetherinthesharpestpains,orafterthelossofachild,orinlongdiseases,tobestillthesameman;whoalsowasapresentandvisibleexampleuntome,thatitwaspossibleforthesamemantobebothvehementandremiss:amannotsubjecttobevexed,andoffendedwiththeincapacityofhisscholarsandauditorsinhislecturesandexpositions;andatruepatternofamanwhoofallhisgoodgiftsandfaculties,leastesteemedinhimself,thathisexcellentskillandab

ilitytoteachandpersuadeothersthecommontheoremsandmaximsoftheStoicphilosophy.OfhimalsoIlearnedhowtoreceivefavoursandkindnesses(ascommonlytheyareaccounted:)fromfriends,sothatImightnotbecomeobnoxiousuntothem,forthem,normoreyieldinguponoccasion,thaninrightIought;andyetsothatIshouldnotpassthemneither,asanunsensibleandunthankfulman.

VI.OfSextus,mildnessandthepatternofafamilygovernedwithpaternalaffection;andapurposetoliveaccordingtonature:tobegravewithoutaffectation:toobservecarefullytheseveraldispositionsofmyfriends,nottobeoffendedwithidiots,norunseasonablytosetuponthosethatarecarriedwiththevulgaropinions,withthetheorems,andtenetsofphilosophers:hisconversationbeinganexamplehowamanmightaccommodatehimselftoallmenandcompanies;sothatthoughhiscompanyweresweeterandmorepleasing


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thananyflatterer'scoggingandfawning;yetwasitatthesametimemostrespectedandreverenced:whoalsohadaproperhappinessandfaculty,rationallyandmethodicallytofindout,andsetinorderallnecessarydeterminationsandinstructionsforaman'slife.Amanwithoutevertheleastappearanceofanger,oranyotherpassion;ableatthesametimemostexactlytoobservetheStoicApathia,orunpassionateness,andyettobemosttender-hearted:everofgoodcredit;andyetalmostwithoutanynoise,orrumour:verylearned,andyetmakinglittleshow.

VII.FromAlexandertheGrammarian,tobeun-reprovablemyself,andnotreproachfullytoreprehendanymanforabarbarism,orasolecism,oranyfalsepronunciation,butdextrouslybywayofanswer,ortestimony,orconfirmationofthesamematter(takingnonoticeoftheword)toutteritasitshouldhavebeenspoken;orbysomeothersuchcloseandindirectadmonition,handsomelyandcivillytotellhimofit.

VIII.OfFronto,tohowmuchenvyandfraudandhypocrisythestateofatyrannouskingissubjectunto,andhowtheywhoarecommonlycalled[EupatridasGk.],i.e.noblyborn,areinsomesortincapable,orvoidofnaturalaffection.

IX.OfAlexanderthePlatonic,notoftennorwithoutgreatnecessitytosay,ortowritetoanymaninaletter,'Iamnotatleisure';norinthismannerstilltoputoffthoseduties,whichweowetoourfriendsandacquaintances(toeveryoneinhiskind)underpretenceofurgentaffairs.

X.OfCatulus,nottocontemnanyfriend'sexpostulation,thoughunjust,buttostrivetoreducehimtohisformerdisposition:freelyandheartilytospeakwellofallmymastersuponanyoccasion,asitisreportedofDomitius,andAthenodotus:andtolovemychildrenwithtrueaffection.

XI.FrommybrotherSeverus,tobekindandlovingtoallthemofmyhouseandfamily;bywhomalsoIcametotheknowledgeofThraseaandHelvidius,andCato,


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andDio,andBrutus.Heitwasalsothatdidputmeinthefirstconceitanddesireofanequalcommonwealth,administeredbyjusticeandequality;andofakingdomwhereinshouldberegardednothingmorethanthegoodandwelfareofthesubjects.Ofhimalso,toobserveaconstanttenor,(notinterrupted,withanyothercaresanddistractions,)inthestudyandesteemofphilosophy:tobebountifulandliberalinthelargestmeasure;alwaystohopethebest;andtobeconfidentthatmyfriendsloveme.InwhomImoreoverobservedopendealingtowardsthosewhomhereprovedatanytime,andthathisfriendsmightwithoutalldoubtormuchobservationknowwhathewould,orwouldnot,soopenandplainwashe.

XII.FromClaudiusMaximus,inallthingstoendeavourtohavepowerofmyself,andinnothingtobecarriedabout;tobecheerfulandcourageousinallsuddenchancesandaccidents,asinsicknesses:tolovemildness,andmoderation,andgravity:andtodomybusiness,whatsoeveritbe,thoroughly,andwithoutquerulousness.Whatsoeverhesaid,allmenbelievedhimthatashespake,sohethought,andwhatsoeverhedid,thathediditwithagoodintent.Hismannerwas,nevertowonderatanything;nevertobeinhaste,andyetneverslow:nortobeperplexed,ordejected,oratanytimeunseemly,orexcessivelytolaugh:nortobeangry,orsuspicious,buteverreadytodogood,andtoforgive,andtospeaktruth;andallthis,asonethatseemedratherofhimselftohavebeenstraighta

ndright,thanevertohavebeenrectifiedorredressed;neitherwasthereanymanthateverthoughthimselfundervaluedbyhim,orthatcouldfindinhisheart,tothinkhimselfabettermanthanhe.Hewouldalsobeverypleasantandgracious.

XIII.Inmyfather,Iobservedhismeekness;hisconstancywithoutwaveringinthosethings,whichafteradueexaminationanddeliberation,hehaddetermined.Howfreefromallvanityhecarriedhimselfinmatterofhonouranddignity,(astheyareesteemed:)hislaboriousnessandassiduity,hisreadinesstohearanyman,thathadaughttosaytendingtoanycommongood:howgenerallyandimpartiallyhewouldgiveeverymanhisdue;hisskillandknowledge,whenrigourorextremity,orwhenremissnessormoderationwasinseason;howhedidabstainfromallunchasteloveofyouths;hismoderatecondescendingtoothermen'soccasion

sasanordinaryman,neitherabsolutelyrequiringofhisfriends,thattheyshouldwaituponhimathisordinarymeals,northattheyshouldofnecessityaccompanyhiminhisjourneys;andthatwhensoeveranybusinessuponsomenecessaryoccasionswastobeputoffandomittedbeforeitcouldbeended,hewaseverfoundwhenhewentaboutitagain,thesamemanthathewasbefore.Hisaccurateexaminationofthingsinconsultations,andpatienthearingofothers.Hewouldnothastilygiveoverthesearchofthematter,asoneeasytobesatisfiedwithsuddennotionsandapprehensions.Hiscaretopreservehisfriends;howneitheratanytimehewouldcarryhimselftowardsthemwithdisdainfulneglect,andgrowwearyofthem;noryetatanytimebemadlyfondofthem.Hiscontentedmindinallthings,hischeerfulcountenance,hiscaretoforeseethingsafaroff,andtotakeorderfortheleast,withoutanynoiseorclamour.Moreoverhowallacclamationsandflatterywererepressedbyhim:howcarefullyheobservedallthing

snecessarytothegovernment,andkeptanaccountofthecommonexpenses,andhowpatientlyhedidabidethathewasreprehendedbysomeforthishisstrictandrigidkindofdealing.Howhewasneitherasuperstitiousworshipperofthegods,noranambitiouspleaserofmen,orstudiousofpopularapplause;butsoberinallthings,andeverywhereobservantofthatwhichwasfitting;noaffecterofnovelties:inthosethingswhichconducedtohiseaseandconvenience,(plentywhereofhisfortunedidaffordhim,)withoutprideandbragging,yetwithallfreedomandliberty:sothatashedidfreelyenjoythemwithout


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anyanxietyoraffectationwhentheywerepresent;sowhenabsent,hefoundnowantofthem.Moreover,thathewasnevercommendedbyanyman,aseitheralearnedacuteman,oranobsequiousofficiousman,orafineorator;butasaripematureman,aperfectsoundman;onethatcouldnotenduretobeflattered;abletogovernbothhimselfandothers.Moreover,howmuchhedidhonouralltruephilosophers,withoutupbraidingthosethatwerenotso;hissociableness,hisgraciousanddelightfulconversation,butneveruntosatiety;hiscareofhisbodywithinboundsandmeasure,notasonethatdesiredtolivelong,orover-studiousofneatness,andelegancy;andyetnotasonethatdidnotregardit:sothatthroughhisowncareandprovidence,heseldomneededanyinwardphysic,oroutwardapplications:butespeciallyhowingeniouslyhewouldyieldtoanythathadobtainedanypeculiarfaculty,aseithereloquence,ortheknowledgeofthelaws,orofancientcustoms,orthelike;andhowheconcurredwiththem,inhisbestcareandendeavourthateveryoneofthemmightinhiskind,forthatwhereinheexcelled,beregardedandesteemed:andalthoughhedidallthingscarefullyaftertheancientcustomsofhisforefathers,yetevenofthiswashenotdesirousthatmenshouldtakenotice,thathedidimitateancientcustoms.Again,howhewasnoteasilymovedandtossedupanddown,butlovedtobeconstant,bothinthesameplacesandbusinesses;andhowafterhisgreatfitsofheadachehewouldreturnfreshandvigoroustohiswontedaffairs.Again,thatsecretsheneithe

rhadmany,noroften,andsuchonlyasconcernedpublicmatters:hisdiscretionandmoderation,inexhibitingofthepublicsightsandshowsforthepleasureandpastimeofthepeople:inpublicbuildings.congiaries,andthelike.Inallthesethings,havingarespectuntomenonlyasmen,andtotheequityofthethingsthemselves,andnotuntotheglorythatmightfollow.Neverwonttousethebathsatunseasonablehours;nobuilder;nevercurious,orsolicitous,eitherabouthismeat,orabouttheworkmanship,orcolourofhisclothes,oraboutanythingthatbelongedtoexternalbeauty.Inallhisconversation,farfromallinhumanity,allboldness,andincivility,allgreedinessandimpetuosity;neverdoinganythingwithsuchearnestness,andintention,thatamancouldsayofhim,thathedidsweataboutit:butcontrariwise,allthingsdistinctly,asatleisure;withouttrouble;orderly,soundly,andagreeably.Amanmighthaveappliedthattohim,whichisrecordedofSocrates,thatheknewhowtowant,andtoenjoy

thosethings,inthewantwhereof,mostmenshowthemselvesweak;andinthefruition,intemperate:buttoholdoutfirmandconstant,andtokeepwithinthecompassoftruemoderationandsobrietyineitherestate,ispropertoaman,whohathaperfectandinvinciblesoul;suchasheshowedhimselfinthesicknessofMaximus.

XIV.FromthegodsIreceivedthatIhadgoodgrandfathers,andparents,agoodsister,goodmasters,gooddomestics,lovingkinsmen,almostallthatIhave;andthatIneverthroughhasteandrashnesstransgressedagainstanyofthem,notwithstandingthatmydispositionwassuch,asthatsuchathing(ifoccasionhadbeen)mightverywellhavebeencommittedbyme,butthatItwasthemercyofthegods,topreventsuchaconcurringofmattersandoccasions,asmightmakemetoincurthisblame.ThatIwasnotlongbroughtupbytheconcubineofmyfathe

r;thatIpreservedtheflowerofmyyouth.ThatItooknotuponmetobeamanbeforemytime,butratherputitofflongerthanIneeded.ThatIlivedunderthegovernmentofmylordandfather,whowouldtakeawayfrommeallprideandvainglory,andreducemetothatconceitandopinionthatitwasnotimpossibleforaprincetoliveinthecourtwithoutatroopofguardsandfollowers,extraordinaryapparel,suchandsuchtorchesandstatues,andotherlikeparticularsofstateandmagnificence;butthatamanmayreduceandcontracthimselfalmosttothestateofaprivateman,andyetforallthatnottobecomethemorebaseandremissinthosepublicmattersandaffairs,whereinpowerandauthorityisrequisite.ThatIhavehadsuchabrother,whobyhisownexamplemightstirmeu

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ptothinkofmyself;andbyhisrespectandlove,delightandpleaseme.ThatIhavegotingenuouschildren,andthattheywerenotborndistorted,norwithanyothernaturaldeformity.ThatIwasnogreatproficientinthestudyofrhetoricandpoetry,andofotherfaculties,whichperchanceImighthavedweltupon,ifIhadfoundmyselftogooninthemwithsuccess.ThatIdidbytimespreferthose,bywhomIwasbroughtup,tosuchplacesanddignities,whichtheyseemeduntome


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mosttodesire;andthatIdidnotputthemoffwithhopeandexpectation,that(sincethattheywereyetbutyoung)Iwoulddothesamehereafter.ThatIeverknewApolloniusandRusticus,andMaximus.ThatIhavehadoccasionoftenandeffectuallytoconsiderandmeditatewithmyself,concerningthatlifewhichisaccordingtonature,whatthenatureandmannerofitis:sothatasforthegodsandsuchsuggestions,helpsandinspirations,asmightbeexpectedfromthem,nothingdidhinder,butthatImighthavebegunlongbeforetoliveaccordingtonature;orthatevennowthatIwasnotyetpartakerandinpresentpossessionofthatlife,thatImyself(inthatIdidnotobservethoseinwardmotions,andsuggestions,yeaandalmostplainandapparentinstructionsandadmonitionsofthegods,)wastheonlycauseofit.Thatmybodyinsuchalife,hathbeenabletoholdoutsolong.ThatIneverhadtodowithBenedictaandTheodotus,yeaandafterwardswhenIfellintosomefitsoflove,Iwassooncured.ThathavingbeenoftendispleasedwithRusticus,IneverdidhimanythingforwhichafterwardsIhadoccasiontorepent.Thatitbeingsothatmymotherwastodieyoung,yetshelivedwithmeallherlatteryears.ThatasoftenasIhadapurposetohelpandsuccouranythateitherwerepoor,orfallenintosomepresentnecessity,Ineverwasansweredbymyofficersthattherewasnotreadymoneyenoughtodoit;andthatImyselfneverhadoccasiontorequirethelikesuccourfromanyother.ThatIhavesuchawife,soobedient,soloving,soingenuous.ThatIhadc

hoiceoffitandablemen,towhomImightcommitthebringingupofmychildren.ThatbydreamsIhavereceivedhelp,asforotherthings,soinparticular,howImightstaymycastingofblood,andcuremydizziness,asthatalsothathappenedtotheeinCajeta,asuntoChryseswhenheprayedbytheseashore.AndwhenIdidfirstapplymyselftophilosophy,thatIdidnotfallintothehandsofsomesophists,orspentmytimeeitherinreadingthemanifoldvolumesofordinaryphilosophers,norinpractisingmyselfinthesolutionofargumentsandfallacies,nordweltuponthestudiesofthemeteors,andothernaturalcuriosities.Allthesethingswithouttheassistanceofthegods,andfortune,couldnothavebeen.

XV.InthecountryoftheQuadiatGranua,these.Betimesinthemorningsaytothyself,ThisdayIshalthavetodowithanidlecuriousman,withanunthankfu

lman,arailer,acrafty,false,oranenviousman;anunsociableuncharitableman.Alltheseillqualitieshavehappeneduntothem,throughignoranceofthatwhichistrulygoodandtrulybad.ButIthatunderstandthenatureofthatwhichisgood,thatitonlyistobedesired,andofthatwhichisbad,thatitonlyistrulyodiousandshameful:whoknowmoreover,thatthistransgressor,whosoeverhebe,ismykinsman,notbythesamebloodandseed,butbyparticipationofthesamereason,andofthesamedivineparticle;HowcanIeitherbehurtbyanyofthose,sinceitisnotintheirpowertomakemeincuranythingthatistrulyreproachful?orangry,andillaffectedtowardshim,whobynatureissonearuntome?forweareallborntobefellowworkers,asthefeet,thehands,andtheeyelids;astherowsoftheupperandunderteeth:forsuchthereforetobeinopposition,isagainstnature;andwhatisittochafeat,andtobeaversefrom,buttobeinopposition?

XVI.WhatsoeverIam,iseitherflesh,orlife,orthatwhichwecommonlycallthemistressandoverrulingpartofman;reason.Awaywiththybooks,suffernotthymindanymoretobedistracted,andcarriedtoandfro;foritwillnotbe;butasevennowreadytodie,thinklittleofthyflesh:blood,bones,andaskin;aprettypieceofknitandtwistedwork,consistingofnerves,veinsandarteries;thinknomoreofit,thanso.Andasforthylife,considerwhatitis;awind;notoneconstantwindneither,buteverymomentofanhourletout,andsuckedinagain.Thethird,isthyrulingpart;andhereconsider;Thouartanoldman;suffer

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notthatexcellentparttobebroughtinsubjection,andtobecomeslavish:sufferitnottobedrawnupanddownwithunreasonableandunsociablelustsandmotions,asitwerewithwiresandnerves;sufferitnotanymore,eithertorepineatanythingnowpresent,ortofearandflyanythingtocome,whichthedestinyhathappointedthee.

XVII.Whatsoeverproceedsfromthegodsimmediately,thatanymanwillgranttotallydependsfromtheirdivineprovidence.Asforthosethingsthatarecommonlysaidtohappenbyfortune,eventhosemustbeconceivedtohavedependencefromnature,orfromthatfirstandgeneralconnection,andconcatenationofallthosethings,whichmoreapparentlybythedivineprovidenceareadministeredandbroughttopass.Allthingsflowfromthence:andwhatsoeveritisthatis,isbothnecessary,andconducingtothewhole(partofwhichthouart),andwhatsoeveritisthatisrequisiteandnecessaryforthepreservationofthegeneral,mustofnecessityforeveryparticularnature,begoodandbehoveful.Andasforthewhole,itispreserved,asbytheperpetualmutationandconversionofthesimpleelementsoneintoanother,soalsobythemutation,andalterationofthingsmixedandcompounded.Letthesethingssufficethee;letthembealwaysuntothee,asthygeneralrulesandprecepts.Asforthythirstafterbooks,awaywithitwithallspeed,thatthoudienotmurmuringandcomplaining,buttrulymeeka

ndwellsatisfied,andfromthyheartthankfuluntothegods.

THESECONDBOOK

I.Rememberhowlongthouhastalreadyputoffthesethings,andhowoftenacertaindayandhourasitwere,havingbeensetuntotheebythegods,thouhastneglectedit.Itishightimefortheetounderstandthetruenaturebothoftheworld,whereofthouartapart;andofthatLordandGovernoroftheworld,fromwhom,asachannelfromthespring,thouthyselfdidstflow:andthatthereisbutacertainlimitoftimeappointeduntothee,whichifthoushaltnotmakeuseoftocalmandallaythemanydistempersofthysoul,itwillpassawayandthouwithit,andneverafterreturn.

II.LetitbethyearnestandincessantcareasaRomanandamantoperformwhatsoeveritisthatthouartabout,withtrueandunfeignedgravity,naturalaffection,freedomandjustice:andasforallothercares,andimaginations,howthoumayesteasethymindofthem.Whichthoushaltdo;ifthoushaltgoabouteveryactionasthylastaction,freefromallvanity,allpassionateandwilfulaberrationfromreason,andfromallhypocrisy,andself-love,anddislikeofthosethings,whichbythefatesorappointmentofGodhavehappeneduntothee.Thouseestthatthosethings,whichforamantoholdoninaprosperouscourse,and


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toliveadivinelife,arerequisiteandnecessary,arenotmany,forthegodswillrequirenomoreofanyman,thatshallbutkeepandobservethesethings.

III.Do,soul,do;abuseandcontemnthyself;yetawhileandthetimefortheetorespectthyself,willbeatanend.Everyman'shappinessdependsfromhimself,butbeholdthylifeisalmostatanend,whilesaffordingthyselfnorespect,thoudostmakethyhappinesstoconsistinthesouls,andconceitsofothermen.

IV.Whyshouldanyofthesethingsthathappenexternally,somuchdistractthee?Givethyselfleisuretolearnsomegoodthing,andceaserovingandwanderingtoandfro.Thoumustalsotakeheedofanotherkindofwandering,fortheyareidleintheiractions,whotoilandlabourinthislife,andhavenocertainscopetowhichtodirectalltheirmotions,anddesires.

V.Fornotobservingthestateofanotherman'ssoul,scarcewaseveranymanknowntobeunhappy.Tellwhosoevertheybethatintendnot,andguidenotbyreasonanddiscretionthemotionsoftheirownsouls,theymustofnecessitybeunhappy.

VI.Thesethingsthoumustalwayshaveinmind:Whatisthenatureoftheuniverse,andwhatismineinparticular:Thisuntothatwhatrelationithath:whatkindofpart,ofwhatkindofuniverseitis:Andthatthereisnobodythatcanhinderthee,butthatthoumayestalwaysbothdoandspeakthosethingswhichareagreeabletothatnature,whereofthouartapart.

VII.Theophrastus,wherehecomparessinwithsin(asafteravulgarsensesuchthingsIgrantmaybecompared:)sayswellandlikeaphilosopher,thatthosesinsaregreaterwhicharecommittedthroughlust,thanthosewhicharecommittedthroughanger.Forhethatisangryseemswithakindofgriefandclosecontractionofhimself,toturnawayfromreason;buthethatsinsthroughlust,beingovercomebypleasure,dothinhisverysinbewrayamoreimpotent,andunmanlikedisposition.Wellthenandlikeaphilosopherdothhesay,thathe


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ofthetwoisthemoretobecondemned,thatsinswithpleasure,thanhethatsinswithgrief.Forindeedthislattermayseemfirsttohavebeenwronged,andsoinsomemannerthroughgriefthereoftohavebeenforcedtobeangry,whereashewhothroughlustdothcommitanything,didofhimselfmerelyresolveuponthataction.

VIII.Whatsoeverthoudostaffect,whatsoeverthoudostproject,sodo,andsoprojectall,asonewho,foraughtthouknowest,mayatthisverypresentdepartoutofthislife.Andasfordeath,iftherebeanygods,itisnogrievousthingtoleavethesocietyofmen.Thegodswilldotheenohurt,thoumayestbesure.Butifitbesothattherebenogods,orthattheytakenocareoftheworld,whyshouldIdesiretoliveinaworldvoidofgods,andofalldivineprovidence?Butgodstherebecertainly,andtheytakecarefortheworld;andasforthosethingswhichbetrulyevil,asviceandwickedness,suchthingstheyhaveputinaman'sownpower,thathemightavoidthemifhewould:andhadtherebeenanythingbesidesthathadbeentrulybadandevil,theywouldhavehadacareofthatalso,thatamanmighthaveavoidedit.Butwhyshouldthatbethoughttohurtandprejudiceaman'slifeinthisworld,whichcannotanywaysmakemanhimselfthebetter,ortheworseinhisownperson?Neithermustwethinkthatthenatureoftheuniversedideitherthroughignorancepassthesethings,orif

notasignorantofthem,yetasunableeithertoprevent,orbettertoorderanddisposethem.Itcannotbethatshethroughwanteitherofpowerorskill,shouldhavecommittedsuchathing,soastosufferallthingsbothgoodandbad,equallyandpromiscuously,tohappenuntoallbothgoodandbad.Asforlifetherefore,anddeath,honouranddishonour,labourandpleasure,richesandpoverty,allthesethingshappenuntomenindeed,bothgoodandbad,equally;butasthingswhichofthemselvesareneithergoodnorbad;becauseofthemselves,neithershamefulnorpraiseworthy.

IX.Considerhowquicklyallthingsaredissolvedandresolved:thebodiesandsubstancesthemselves,intothematterandsubstanceoftheworld:andtheirmemoriesintothegeneralageandtimeoftheworld.Considerthenatureofallworldlysensiblethings;ofthoseespecially,whicheitherensnarebypleasure,orf

ortheirirksomenessaredreadful,orfortheiroutwardlustreandshowareingreatesteemandrequest,howvileandcontemptible,howbaseandcorruptible,howdestituteofalltruelifeandbeingtheyare.

X.Itisthepartofamanendowedwithagoodunderstandingfaculty,toconsiderwhattheythemselvesareinverydeed,fromwhosebareconceitsandvoices,honourandcreditdoproceed:asalsowhatitistodie,andhowifamanshallconsiderthisbyitselfalone,todie,andseparatefromitinhismindallthosethingswhichwithitusuallyrepresentthemselvesuntous,hecanconceiveofitnootherwise,thanasofaworkofnature,andhethatfearsanyworkofnature,isaverychild.Nowdeath,itisnotonlyaworkofnature,butalsoconducingtonature.


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XI.Considerwiththyselfhowman,andbywhatpartofhis,isjoineduntoGod,andhowthatpartofmanisaffected,whenitissaidtobediffused.Thereisnothingmorewretchedthanthatsoul,whichinakindofcircuitcompassethallthings,searching(ashesaith)eventheverydepthsoftheearth;andbyallsignsandconjecturespryingintotheverythoughtsofothermen'ssouls;andyetofthis,isnotsensible,thatitissufficientforamantoapplyhimselfwholly,andtoconfineallhisthoughtsandcarestothetendanceofthatspiritwhichiswithinhim,andtrulyandreallytoservehim.Hisservicedothconsistinthis,thatamankeephimselfpurefromallviolentpassionandevilaffection,fromallrashnessandvanity,andfromallmannerofdiscontent,eitherinregardofthegodsormen.Forindeedwhatsoeverproceedsfromthegods,deservesrespectfortheirworthandexcellency;andwhatsoeverproceedsfrommen,astheyareourkinsmen,shouldbyusbeentertained,withlove,always;sometimes,asproceedingfromtheirignorance,ofthatwhichistrulygoodandbad,(ablindnessnoless,thanthatbywhichwearenotabletodiscernbetweenwhiteandblack:)withakindofpityandcompassionalso.

XII.Ifthoushouldstlivethreethousand,orasmanyastenthousandsofyears,yetrememberthis,thatmancanpartwithnolifeproperly,savewiththatlittlepartoflife,whichhenowlives:andthatwhichhelives,isnoother,than

thatwhichateveryinstanthepartswith.Thatthenwhichislongestofduration,andthatwhichisshortest,comebothtooneeffect.Foralthoughinregardofthatwhichisalreadypasttheremaybesomeinequality,yetthattimewhichisnowpresentandinbeing,isequaluntoallmen.Andthatbeingitwhichwepartwithwhensoeverwedie,itdothmanifestlyappear,thatitcanbebutamomentoftime,thatwethenpartwith.Forasforthatwhichiseitherpastortocome,amancannotbesaidproperlytopartwithit.Forhowshouldamanpartwiththatwhichhehathnot?Thesetwothingsthereforethoumustremember.First,thatallthingsintheworldfromalleternity,byaperpetualrevolutionofthesametimesandthingsevercontinuedandrenewed,areofonekindandnature;sothatwhetherforahundredortwohundredyearsonly,orforaninfinitespaceoftime,amanseethosethingswhicharestillthesame,itcanbenomatterofgreatmoment.Andsecondly,thatthatlifewhichanythelongestliver,orthe

shortestliverpartswith,isforlengthanddurationtheverysame,forthatonlywhichispresent,isthat,whicheitherofthemcanlose,asbeingthatonlywhichtheyhave;forthatwhichhehathnot,nomancantrulybesaidtolose.

XIII.Rememberthatallisbutopinionandconceit,forthosethingsareplainandapparent,whichwerespokenuntoMonimustheCynic;andasplainandapparentistheusethatmaybemadeofthosethings,ifthatwhichistrueandseriousinthem,bereceivedaswellasthatwhichissweetandpleasing.


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XIV.Aman'ssouldothwronganddisrespectitselffirstandespecially,whenasmuchasinitselfliesitbecomesanaposteme,andasitwereanexcrescencyoftheworld,fortobegrievedanddispleasedwithanythingthathappensintheworld,isdirectapostacyfromthenatureoftheuniverse;partofwhich,allparticularnaturesoftheworld,are.Secondly,whensheeitherisaversefromanyman,orledbycontrarydesiresoraffections,tendingtohishurtandprejudice;suchasarethesoulsofthemthatareangry.Thirdly,whensheisovercomebyanypleasureorpain.Fourthly,whenshedothdissemble,andcovertlyandfalselyeitherdothorsaithanything.Fifthly,whenshedotheitheraffectorendeavouranythingtonocertainend,butrashlyandwithoutdueratiocinationandconsideration,howconsequentorinconsequentitistothecommonend.Foreventheleastthingsoughtnottobedone,withoutrelationuntotheend;andtheendofthereasonablecreaturesis,tofollowandobeyhim,whoisthereasonasitwere,andthelawofthisgreatcity,andancientcommonwealth.

XV.Thetimeofaman'slifeisasapoint;thesubstanceofiteverflowing,thesenseobscure;andthewholecompositionofthebodytendingtocorruption.Hissoulisrestless,fortuneuncertain,andfamedoubtful;tobebrief,asastreamsoareallthingsbelongingtothebody;asadream,orasasmoke,soareallthatbelonguntothesoul.Ourlifeisawarfare,andamerepilgrimage.Fame

afterlifeisnobetterthanoblivion.Whatisitthenthatwilladhereandfollow?Onlyonething,philosophy.Andphilosophydothconsistinthis,foramantopreservethatspiritwhichiswithinhim,fromallmannerofcontumeliesandinjuries,andaboveallpainsorpleasures;nevertodoanythingeitherrashly,orfeignedly,orhypocritically:whollytodependfromhimselfandhisownproperactions:allthingsthathappenuntohimtoembracecontentedly,ascomingfromHimfromwhomhehimselfalsocame;andaboveallthings,withallmeeknessandacalmcheerfulness,toexpectdeath,asbeingnothingelsebuttheresolutionofthoseelements,ofwhicheverycreatureiscomposed.Andiftheelementsthemselvessuffernothingbythistheirperpetualconversionofoneintoanother,thatdissolution,andalteration,whichissocommonuntoall,whyshoulditbefearedbyany?Isnotthisaccordingtonature?Butnothingthatisaccordingtonaturecanbeevil,whilstIwasatCarnuntzim.

THETHIRDBOOK

I.Amanmustnotonlyconsiderhowdailyhislifewastethanddecreaseth,butthisalso,thatifhelivelong,hecannotbecertain,whetherhisunderstandingshallcontinuesoableandsufficient,foreitherdiscreetconsideration,inmatterofbusinesses;orforcontemplation:itbeingthething,whereontrueknowledgeofthingsbothdivineandhuman,dothdepend.Forifonceheshallbegintodote,hisrespiration,nutrition,hisimaginative,andappetitive,andothernaturalfaculties,maystillcontinuethesame:heshallfindnowantofthem.Buthowtomakethatrightuseofhimselfthatheshould,howtoobserveexactlyinallthingsthatwhichisrightandjust,howtoredressandrectifyallwrong,orsuddenapprehensionsandimaginations,andevenofthisparticular,whetherhe

shouldliveanylonger


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orno,toconsiderduly;forallsuchthings,whereinthebeststrengthandvigourofthemindismostrequisite;hispowerandabilitywillbepastandgone.Thoumusthastentherefore;notonlybecausethouarteverydayneareruntodeaththanother,butalsobecausethatintellectivefacultyinthee,wherebythouartenabledtoknowthetruenatureofthings,andtoorderallthyactionsbythatknowledge,dothdailywasteanddecay:or,mayfailtheebeforethoudie.

II.Thisalsothoumustobserve,thatwhatsoeveritisthatnaturallydothhappentothingsnatural,hathsomewhatinitselfthatispleasinganddelightful:asagreatloafwhenitisbaked,somepartsofitcleaveasitwere,andpartasunder,andmakethecrustofitruggedandunequal,andyetthosepartsofit,thoughinsomesortitbeagainsttheartandintentionofbakingitself,thattheyarethuscleftandparted,whichshouldhavebeenandwerefirstmadeallevenanduniform,theybecomeitwellnevertheless,andhaveacertainpeculiarproperty,tostirtheappetite.Sofigsareaccountedfairestandripestthen,whentheybegintoshrink,andwitherasitwere.Soripeolives,whentheyarenexttoputrefaction,thenaretheyintheirproperbeauty.Thehangingdownofgrapesthebrowofalion,thefrothofafoamingwildboar,andmanyotherlikethings,thoughbythemselvesconsidered,theyarefarfromanybeauty,yetbecausetheyhappennaturally,theybotharecomely,anddelightful;sothatifamanshallw

ithaprofoundmindandapprehension,considerallthingsintheworld,evenamongallthosethingswhicharebutmereaccessoriesandnaturalappendicesasitwere,therewillscarceappearanythinguntohim,whereinhewillnotfindmatterofpleasureanddelight.Sowillhebeholdwithasmuchpleasurethetruerictusofwildbeasts,asthosewhichbyskilfulpaintersandotherartificersareimitated.Sowillhebeabletoperceivetheproperripenessandbeautyofoldage,whetherinmanorwoman:andwhatsoeverelseitisthatisbeautifulandalluringinwhatsoeveris,withchasteandcontinenteyeshewillsoonfindoutanddiscern.Thoseandmanyotherthingswillhediscern,notcredibleuntoeveryone,butuntothemonlywhoaretrulyandfamiliarlyacquainted,bothwithnatureitself,andallnaturalthings.

III.Hippocrateshavingcuredmanysicknesses,fellsickhimselfanddied.TheC

haldeansandAstrologianshavingforetoldthedeathsofdivers,wereafterwardsthemselvessurprisedbythefates.AlexanderandPompeius,andCaiusCaesar,havingdestroyedsomanytowns,andcutoffinthefieldsomanythousandsbothofhorseandfoot,yettheythemselvesatlastwerefaintopartwiththeirownlives.Heraclitushavingwrittensomanynaturaltractsconcerningthelastandgeneralconflagrationoftheworld,diedafterwardsallfilledwithwaterwithin,andallbedaubedwithdirtanddungwithout.LicekilledDemocritus;andSocrates,anothersortofvermin,wickedungodlymen.Howthenstandsthecase?Thouhasttakenship,thouhastsailed,thouartcometoland,goout,iftoanotherlife,therealsoshaltthoufindgods,whoareeverywhere.Ifalllifeandsenseshallcease,thenshaltthouceasealsotobesubjecttoeitherpainsorpleasures;andtoserveandtendthisvilecottage;somuchtheviler,byhowmuchthatwhichministersuntoitdothexcel;theonebeingarationalsubstance,andaspi

rit,theothernothingbutearthandblood.

IV.Spendnottheremnantofthydaysinthoughtsandfanciesconcerning


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othermen,whenitisnotinrelationtosomecommongood,whenbyitthouarthinderedfromsomeotherbetterwork.Thatis,spendnotthytimeinthinking,whatsuchamandoth,andtowhatend:whathesaith,andwhathethinks,andwhatheisabout,andsuchotherthingsorcuriosities,whichmakeamantoroveandwanderfromthecareandobservationofthatpartofhimself,whichisrational,andoverruling.Seethereforeinthewholeseriesandconnectionofthythoughts,thatthoubecarefultopreventwhatsoeverisidleandimpertinent:butespecially,whatsoeveriscuriousandmalicious:andthoumustusethyselftothinkonlyofsuchthings,ofwhichifamanuponasuddenshouldaskthee,whatitisthatthouartnowthinking,thoumayestanswerThis,andThat,freelyandboldly,thatsobythythoughtsitmaypresentlyappearthatinalltheeissincere,andpeaceable;asbecomethonethatismadeforsociety,andregardsnotpleasures,norgiveswaytoanyvoluptuousimaginatio

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