Book Ten
10:36
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?
36. There is no man so fortunate that there shall not be by him when he is dying some who are pleased with what is going to happen.
Suppose that he was a good and wise man, will there not be at last some one to say to himself, Let us at last breathe freely being relieved from this schoolmaster?
It is true that he was harsh to none of us, but I perceived that he tacitly condemns us.
- This is what is said of a good man.
But in our own case how many other things are there for which there are many who wish to get rid of us.
You will consider this then when you are dying, and you will depart more contentedly by reflecting thus: I am going away from such a life, in which even my associates in behalf of whom I have striven so much, prayed, and cared, themselves wish me to depart, hoping perchance to get some little advantage by it.
Why then should a man cling to a longer stay here?
Do not however for this reason go away less kindly disposed to them, but preserving your own character, and friendly and benevolent and mild, and on the other hand not as if you wast torn away; but as when a man dies a quiet death, the poor soul is easily separated from the body, such also ought your departure from men to be, for nature united you to them and associated you But does she now dissolve the union?
Well, I am separated as from kinsmen, not however dragged resisting, but without compulsion; for this too is one of the things according to nature.
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 36
Content:
36. There is no man so fortunate that there shall not be by him when he is dying some who are pleased with what is going to happen.
Suppose that he was a good and wise man, will there not be at last some one to say to himself, Let us at last breathe freely being relieved from this schoolmaster?
It is true that he was harsh to none of us, but I perceived that he tacitly condemns us.
- This is what is said of a good man.
But in our own case how many other things are there for which there are many who wish to get rid of us.
You will consider this then when you are dying, and you will depart more contentedly by reflecting thus: I am going away from such a life, in which even my associates in behalf of whom I have striven so much, prayed, and cared, themselves wish me to depart, hoping perchance to get some little advantage by it.
Why then should a man cling to a longer stay here?
Do not however for this reason go away less kindly disposed to them, but preserving your own character, and friendly and benevolent and mild, and on the other hand not as if you wast torn away; but as when a man dies a quiet death, the poor soul is easily separated from the body, such also ought your departure from men to be, for nature united you to them and associated you But does she now dissolve the union?
Well, I am separated as from kinsmen, not however dragged resisting, but without compulsion; for this too is one of the things according to nature.