Book Ten
10:31
Book Subtitle: The classic from Marcus Aurelius.
Book Description: The personal notes of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.
This book has influenced many throughout history from students to statesmen. It's an inside look at a brilliant and thoughtful man working on living well.
The emperor and philosopher's thoughts are crucial to understand for any Stoic seeking to do their best in a complex world.
Chapter Subtitle: Will you then, my soul, never be good and simple and one and naked, more manifest than the body which surrounds thee? Will you never enjoy an affectionate and contented disposition?
31. When you have seen Satyron the Socratic, think of either Eutyches or Hymen, and when you have seen Euphrates, think of Eutychion or Silvanus, and when you have seen Alciphron think of Tropaeophorus, and when you have seen Xenophon think of Crito or Severus, and when you have looked on yourself think of any other Caesar, and in the case of every one do in like manner.
Then let this thought be in your mind, Where then are those men?
Nowhere, or nobody knows where.
For thus continuously you will look at human things as smoke and nothing at all; especially if you reflect at the same time that what has once changed will never exist again in the infinite duration of time.
But you in what a brief space of time is your existence?
And why are you not content to pass through this short time in an orderly way?
What matter and opportunity for your activity are you avoiding?
For what else are all these things, except exercises for the reason, when it has viewed carefully and by examination into their nature the things which happen in life?
Persevere then until you shall have made these things your own, as the stomach which is strengthened makes all things its own, as the blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.
Book: Meditations
Subtitle: The classic from Marcus Aurelius.
Author: Marcus Aurelius
Chapter: Book Ten
Chapter Subtitle: Will you then, my soul, never be good and simple and one and naked, more manifest than the body which surrounds thee? Will you never enjoy an affectionate and contented disposition?
Location: Chapter 10, Section 31
Content:
31. When you have seen Satyron the Socratic, think of either Eutyches or Hymen, and when you have seen Euphrates, think of Eutychion or Silvanus, and when you have seen Alciphron think of Tropaeophorus, and when you have seen Xenophon think of Crito or Severus, and when you have looked on yourself think of any other Caesar, and in the case of every one do in like manner.
Then let this thought be in your mind, Where then are those men?
Nowhere, or nobody knows where.
For thus continuously you will look at human things as smoke and nothing at all; especially if you reflect at the same time that what has once changed will never exist again in the infinite duration of time.
But you in what a brief space of time is your existence?
And why are you not content to pass through this short time in an orderly way?
What matter and opportunity for your activity are you avoiding?
For what else are all these things, except exercises for the reason, when it has viewed carefully and by examination into their nature the things which happen in life?
Persevere then until you shall have made these things your own, as the stomach which is strengthened makes all things its own, as the blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.