Book Twelve
12:1
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: All those things at which you wish to arrive by a circuitous road, you canst have now, if you dost not refuse them to yourself
1. All those things at which you wish to arrive by a circuitous road, you can have now, if you do not refuse them to yourself And this means, if you will take no notice of all the past, and trust the future to providence, and direct the present only conformably to piety and justice.
Conformably to piety, that you may be content with the lot which is assigned to you for nature designed it for you and you for it.
Conformably to justice, that you may always speak the truth freely and without disguise, and do the things which are agreeable to law and according to the worth of each.
And let neither another man's wickedness hinder you nor opinion nor voice, nor yet the sensations of the poor flesh which has grown about you for the passive part will look to this.
If then, whatever the time may be when you shall be near to your departure, neglecting everything else you shall respect only your ruling faculty and the divinity within you and if you shall be afraid not because you must some time cease to live, but if you shall fear never to have begun to live according to nature- then you will be a man worthy of the universe which has produced you and you will cease to be a stranger in your native land, and to wonder at things which happen daily as if they were something unexpected, and to be dependent on this or that.
Book: Meditations
Subtitle: The classic from Marcus Aurelius.
Author: Marcus Aurelius
Chapter: Book Twelve
Chapter Subtitle: All those things at which you wish to arrive by a circuitous road, you canst have now, if you dost not refuse them to yourself
Location: Chapter 12, Section 1
Content:
1. All those things at which you wish to arrive by a circuitous road, you can have now, if you do not refuse them to yourself And this means, if you will take no notice of all the past, and trust the future to providence, and direct the present only conformably to piety and justice.
Conformably to piety, that you may be content with the lot which is assigned to you for nature designed it for you and you for it.
Conformably to justice, that you may always speak the truth freely and without disguise, and do the things which are agreeable to law and according to the worth of each.
And let neither another man's wickedness hinder you nor opinion nor voice, nor yet the sensations of the poor flesh which has grown about you for the passive part will look to this.
If then, whatever the time may be when you shall be near to your departure, neglecting everything else you shall respect only your ruling faculty and the divinity within you and if you shall be afraid not because you must some time cease to live, but if you shall fear never to have begun to live according to nature- then you will be a man worthy of the universe which has produced you and you will cease to be a stranger in your native land, and to wonder at things which happen daily as if they were something unexpected, and to be dependent on this or that.