Meditations - Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius (read novels website .TXT) 📗

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 and most 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 not angry 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 the Gods? 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 that thou 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 that profess 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 to mind 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. How many 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 to please, 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. Word after 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 away into 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, full of 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 more like 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 life and

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 universe did 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