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Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

§ Section 23

Book Eight

8:23

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: This reflection also tends to the removal of the desire of empty fame, that it is no longer in your power to have lived the whole of your life, or at least your life from your youth upwards, like a philosopher; but both to many others and to yourself it is plain that you art far from philosophy.

23. Am I doing anything?

I do it with reference to the good of mankind.

Does anything happen to me?

I receive it and refer it to the gods, and the source of all things, from which all that happens is derived.