1. In he morning when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present- I am rising to the work of a human being.
Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world?
Or have I been made for this, to lie in the bed-clothes and keep myself warm?
- But this is more pleasant.
- Do you exist then to take your pleasure, and not at all for action or exertion?
Do you not see the little plants, the little birds, the ants, the spiders, the bees working together to put in order their several parts of the universe?
And are you unwilling to do the work of a human being, and do you not make haste to do that which is according to your nature?
- But it is necessary to take rest also.
- It is necessary: however nature has fixed bounds to this too: she has fixed bounds both to eating and drinking, and yet you go beyond these bounds, beyond what is sufficient; yet in your acts it is not so, but you stoppest short of what you can do.
So you love not yourself for if you did, you would love your nature and her will.
But those who love their several arts exhaust themselves in working at them unwashed and without food; but you value your own own nature less than the turner values the turning art, or the dancer the dancing art, or the lover of money values his money, or the vainglorious man his little glory.
And such men, when they have a violent affection to a thing, choose neither to eat nor to sleep rather than to perfect the things which they care for.
But are the acts which concern society more vile in your eyes and less worthy of your labour?
Book: Meditations
Subtitle: The classic from Marcus Aurelius.
Author: Marcus Aurelius
Chapter: Book Five
Chapter Subtitle: In he morning when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present- I am rising to the work of a human being.
Location: Chapter 5, Section 1
Content:
1. In he morning when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present- I am rising to the work of a human being.
Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world?
Or have I been made for this, to lie in the bed-clothes and keep myself warm?
- But this is more pleasant.
- Do you exist then to take your pleasure, and not at all for action or exertion?
Do you not see the little plants, the little birds, the ants, the spiders, the bees working together to put in order their several parts of the universe?
And are you unwilling to do the work of a human being, and do you not make haste to do that which is according to your nature?
- But it is necessary to take rest also.
- It is necessary: however nature has fixed bounds to this too: she has fixed bounds both to eating and drinking, and yet you go beyond these bounds, beyond what is sufficient; yet in your acts it is not so, but you stoppest short of what you can do.
So you love not yourself for if you did, you would love your nature and her will.
But those who love their several arts exhaust themselves in working at them unwashed and without food; but you value your own own nature less than the turner values the turning art, or the dancer the dancing art, or the lover of money values his money, or the vainglorious man his little glory.
And such men, when they have a violent affection to a thing, choose neither to eat nor to sleep rather than to perfect the things which they care for.
But are the acts which concern society more vile in your eyes and less worthy of your labour?