Book Four
4:33
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: That which rules within, when it is according to nature, is so affected with respect to the events which happen, that it always easily adapts itself to that which is and is presented to it.
33. The words which were formerly familiar are now antiquated: so also the names of those who were famed of old, are now in a manner antiquated, Camillus, Caeso, Volesus, Leonnatus, and a little after also Scipio and Cato, then Augustus, then also Hadrian and Antoninus.
For all things soon pass away and become a mere tale, and complete oblivion soon buries them.
And I say this of those who have shone in a wondrous way.
For the rest, as soon as they have breathed out their breath, they are gone, and no man speaks of them.
And, to conclude the matter, what is even an eternal remembrance?
A mere nothing.
What then is that about which we ought to employ our serious pains?
This one thing, thoughts just, and acts social, and words which never lie, and a disposition which gladly accepts all that happens, as necessary, as usual, as flowing from a principle and source of the same kind.
Book: Meditations
Subtitle: The classic from Marcus Aurelius.
Author: Marcus Aurelius
Chapter: Book Four
Chapter Subtitle: That which rules within, when it is according to nature, is so affected with respect to the events which happen, that it always easily adapts itself to that which is and is presented to it.
Location: Chapter 4, Section 33
Content:
33. The words which were formerly familiar are now antiquated: so also the names of those who were famed of old, are now in a manner antiquated, Camillus, Caeso, Volesus, Leonnatus, and a little after also Scipio and Cato, then Augustus, then also Hadrian and Antoninus.
For all things soon pass away and become a mere tale, and complete oblivion soon buries them.
And I say this of those who have shone in a wondrous way.
For the rest, as soon as they have breathed out their breath, they are gone, and no man speaks of them.
And, to conclude the matter, what is even an eternal remembrance?
A mere nothing.
What then is that about which we ought to employ our serious pains?
This one thing, thoughts just, and acts social, and words which never lie, and a disposition which gladly accepts all that happens, as necessary, as usual, as flowing from a principle and source of the same kind.