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Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

§ Section 14

Book Twelve

12:14

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

14. Either there is a fatal necessity and invincible order, or a kind Providence, or a confusion without a purpose and without a director (Book IV).

If then there is an invincible necessity, why do you resist?

But if there is a Providence which allows itself to be propitiated, make yourself worthy of the help of the divinity.

But if there is a confusion without governor, be content that in such a tempest you have in yourself a certain ruling intelligence.

And even if the tempest carry you away, let it carry away the poor flesh, the poor breath, everything else; for the intelligence at least it will not carry away.