BookTen
Wiltthou,then,mysoul,neverbegoodandsimpleandoneandnaked,moremanifestthanthebodywhichsurroundsthee?Wiltthouneverenjoyanaffectionateandcontenteddisposition?Wiltthouneverbefullandwithoutawantofanykind,longingfornothingmore,nordesiringanything,eitheranimateorinanimate,fortheenjoymentofpleasures?Noryetdesiringtimewhereinthoushalthavelongerenjoyment,orplace,orpleasantclimate,orsocietyofmenwithwhomthoumayestliveinharmony?Butwiltthoubesatisfiedwiththypresentcondition,andpleasedwithallthatisaboutthee,andwiltthouconvincethyselfthatthouhasteverythingandthatitcomesfromthegods,thateverythingiswellforthee,andwillbewellwhatevershallpleasethem,andwhatevertheyshallgivefortheconservationoftheperfectlivingbeing,thegoodandjustandbeautiful,whichgeneratesandholdstogetherallthings,andcontainsandembracesallthingswhicharedissolvedfortheproductionofotherlikethings?Wiltthouneverbesuchthatthoushaltsodwellincommunitywithgodsandmenasneithertofindfaultwiththematall,nortobecondemnedbythem?
Observewhatthynaturerequires,sofarasthouartgovernedbynatureonly:thendoitandacceptit,ifthynature,sofarasthouartalivingbeing,shallnotbemadeworsebyit.
Andnextthoumustobservewhatthynaturerequiressofarasthouartalivingbeing.Andallthisthoumayestallowthyself,ifthynature,sofarasthouartarationalanimal,shallnotbemadeworsebyit.Buttherationalanimalisconsequentlyalsoapolitical(social)animal.Usetheserules,then,andtroublethyselfaboutnothingelse.
Everythingwhichhappenseitherhappensinsuchwiseasthouartformedbynaturetobearit,orasthouartnotformedbynaturetobearit.If,then,ithappenstotheeinsuchwayasthouartformedbynaturetobearit,donotcomplain,butbearitasthouartformedbynaturetobearit.Butifithappensinsuchwiseasthouartnotformedbynaturetobearit,donotcomplain,foritwillperishafterithasconsumedthee.Remember,however,thatthouartformedbynaturetobeareverything,withrespecttowhichitdependsonthyownopiniontomakeitendurableandtolerable,bythinkingthatitiseitherthyinterestorthydutytodothis.
Ifamanismistaken,instructhimkindlyandshowhimhiserror.Butifthouartnotable,blamethyself,orblamenoteventhyself.
Whatevermayhappentothee,itwaspreparedfortheefromalleternity;andtheimplicationofcauseswasfrometernityspinningthethreadofthybeing,andofthatwhichisincidenttoit.
Whethertheuniverseisaconcourseofatoms,ornatureisasystem,letthisfirstbeestablished,thatIamapartofthewholewhichisgovernedbynature;next,Iaminamannerintimatelyrelatedtothepartswhichareofthesamekindwithmyself.Forrememberingthis,inasmuchasIamapart,Ishallbediscontentedwithnoneofthethingswhichareassignedtomeoutofthewhole;fornothingisinjurioustothepart,ifitisfortheadvantageofthewhole.Forthewholecontainsnothingwhichisnotforitsadvantage;andallnaturesindeedhavethiscommonprinciple,butthenatureoftheuniversehasthisprinciplebesides,thatitcannotbecompelledevenbyanyexternalcausetogenerateanythingharmfultoitself.Byremembering,then,thatIamapartofsuchawhole,Ishallbecontentwitheverythingthathappens.AndinasmuchasIaminamannerintimatelyrelatedtothepartswhichareofthesamekindwithmyself,Ishalldonothingunsocial,butIshallratherdirectmyselftothethingswhichareofthesamekindwithmyself,andIshallturnanmyeffortstothecommoninterest,anddivertthemfromthecontrary.Now,ifthesethingsaredoneso,lifemustflowonhappily,justasthoumayestobservethatthelifeofacitizenishappy,whocontinuesacourseofactionwhichisadvantageoustohisfellow-citizens,andiscontentwithwhateverthestatemayassigntohim.
Thepartsofthewhole,everything,Imean,whichisnaturallycomprehendedintheuniverse,mustofnecessityperish;butletthisbeunderstoodinthissense,thattheymustundergochange.Butifthisisnaturallybothanevilandanecessityfortheparts,thewholewouldnotcontinuetoexistinagoodcondition,thepartsbeingsubjecttochangeandconstitutedsoastoperishinvariousways.Forwhetherdidnatureherselfdesigntodoeviltothethingswhicharepartsofherself,andtomakethemsubjecttoevilandofnecessityfallintoevil,orhavesuchresultshappenedwithoutherknowingit?Boththesesuppositions,indeed,areincredible.ButifamanshouldevendropthetermNature(asanefficientpower),andshouldspeakofthesethingsasnatural,eventhenitwouldberidiculoustoaffirmatthesametimethatthepartsofthewholeareintheirnaturesubjecttochange,andatthesametimetobesurprisedorvexedasifsomethingwerehappeningcontrarytonature,particularlyasthedissolutionofthingsisintothosethingsofwhicheachthingiscomposed.Forthereiseitheradispersionoftheelementsoutofwhicheverythinghasbeencompounded,orachangefromthesolidtotheearthyandfromtheairytotheaerial,sothatthesepartsaretakenbackintotheuniversalreason,whetherthisatcertainperiodsisconsumedbyfireorrenewedbyeternalchanges.Anddonotimaginethatthesolidandtheairypartbelongtotheefromthetimeofgeneration.Forallthisreceiveditsaccretiononlyyesterdayandthedaybefore,asonemaysay,fromthefoodandtheairwhichisinspired.This,then,whichhasreceivedtheaccretion,changes,notthatwhichthymotherbroughtforth.Butsupposethatthiswhichthymotherbroughtforthimplicatestheeverymuchwiththatotherpart,whichhasthepeculiarqualityofchange,thisisnothinginfactinthewayofobjectiontowhatissaid.
Whenthouhastassumedthesenames,good,modest,true,rational,amanofequanimity,andmagnanimous,takecarethatthoudostnotchangethesenames;andifthoushouldstlosethem,quicklyreturntothem.AndrememberthatthetermRationalwasintendedtosignifyadiscriminatingattentiontoeveryseveralthingandfreedomfromnegligence;andthatEquanimityisthevoluntaryacceptanceofthethingswhichareassignedtotheebythecommonnature;andthatMagnanimityistheelevationoftheintelligentpartabovethepleasurableorpainfulsensationsoftheflesh,andabovethatpoorthingcalledfame,anddeath,andallsuchthings.If,then,thoumaintainestthyselfinthepossessionofthesenames,withoutdesiringtobecalledbythesenamesbyothers,thouwiltbeanotherpersonandwiltenteronanotherlife.Fortocontinuetobesuchasthouhasthithertobeen,andtobetominpiecesanddefiledinsuchalife,isthecharacterofaverystupidmanandoneoverfondofhislife,andlikethosehalf-devouredfighterswithwildbeasts,whothoughcoveredwithwoundsandgore,stillintreattobekepttothefollowingday,thoughtheywillbeexposedinthesamestatetothesameclawsandbites.Thereforefixthyselfinthepossessionofthesefewnames:andifthouartabletoabideinthem,abideasifthouwastremovedtocertainislandsoftheHappy.Butifthoushaltperceivethatthoufallestoutofthemanddostnotmaintainthyhold,gocourageouslyintosomenookwherethoushaltmaintainthem,orevendepartatoncefromlife,notinpassion,butwithsimplicityandfreedomandmodesty,afterdoingthisonelaudablethingatleastinthylife,tohavegoneoutofitthus.Inorder,however,totheremembranceofthesenames,itwillgreatlyhelpthee,ifthourememberestthegods,andthattheywishnottobeflattered,butwishallreasonablebeingstobemadelikethemselves;andifthourememberestthatwhatdoestheworkofafig-treeisafig-tree,andthatwhatdoestheworkofadogisadog,andthatwhatdoestheworkofabeeisabee,andthatwhatdoestheworkofamanisaman.
Mimi,war,astonishment,torpor,slavery,willdailywipeoutthoseholyprinciplesofthine.Howmanythingswithoutstudyingnaturedostthouimagine,andhowmanydostthouneglect?Butitisthydutysotolookonandsotodoeverything,thatatthesametimethepowerofdealingwithcircumstancesisperfected,andthecontemplativefacultyisexercised,andtheconfidencewhichcomesfromtheknowledgeofeachseveralthingismaintainedwithoutshowingit,butyetnotconcealed.Forwhenwiltthouenjoysimplicity,whengravity,andwhentheknowledgeofeveryseveralthing,bothwhatitisinsubstance,andwhatplaceithasintheuniverse,andhowlongitisformedtoexistandofwhatthingsitiscompounded,andtowhomitcanbelong,andwhoareablebothtogiveitandtakeitaway?
Aspiderisproudwhenithascaughtafly,andanotherwhenhehascaughtapoorhare,andanotherwhenhehastakenalittlefishinanet,andanotherwhenhehastakenwildboars,andanotherwhenhehastakenbears,andanotherwhenhehastakenSarmatians.Arenottheserobbers,ifthouexaminesttheiropinions?
Acquirethecontemplativewayofseeinghowallthingschangeintooneanother,andconstantlyattendtoit,andexercisethyselfaboutthispartofphilosophy.Fornothingissomuchadaptedtoproducemagnanimity.Suchamanhasputoffthebody,andasheseesthathemust,nooneknowshowsoon,goawayfromamongmenandleaveeverythinghere,hegiveshimselfupentirelytojustdoinginallhisactions,andineverythingelsethathappensheresignshimselftotheuniversalnature.Butastowhatanymanshallsayorthinkabouthimordoagainsthim,henevereventhinksofit,beinghimselfcontentedwiththesetwothings,withactingjustlyinwhathenowdoes,andbeingsatisfiedwithwhatisnowassignedtohim;andhelaysasidealldistractingandbusypursuits,anddesiresnothingelsethantoaccomplishthestraightcoursethroughthelaw,andbyaccomplishingthestraightcoursetofollowGod.
Whatneedisthereofsuspiciousfear,sinceitisinthypowertoinquirewhatoughttobedone?Andifthouseestclear,gobythiswaycontent,withoutturningback:butifthoudostnotseeclear,stopandtakethebestadvisers.Butifanyotherthingsopposethee,goonaccordingtothypowerswithdueconsideration,keepingtothatwhichappearstobejust.Foritisbesttoreachthisobject,andifthoudostfail,letthyfailurebeinattemptingthis.Hewhofollowsreasoninallthingsisbothtranquilandactiveatthesametime,andalsocheerfulandcollected.
Inquireofthyselfassoonasthouwakestfromsleep,whetheritwillmakeanydifferencetothee,ifanotherdoeswhatisjustandright.Itwillmakenodifference.
Thouhastnotforgotten,Isuppose,thatthosewhoassumearrogantairsinbestowingtheirpraiseorblameonothers,aresuchastheyareatbedandatboard,andthouhastnotforgottenwhattheydo,andwhattheyavoidandwhattheypursue,andhowtheystealandhowtheyrob,notwithhandsandfeet,butwiththeirmostvaluablepart,bymeansofwhichthereisproduced,whenamanchooses,fidelity,modesty,truth,law,agooddaemon(happiness)?
Toherwhogivesandtakesbackall,tonature,themanwhoisinstructedandmodestsays,Givewhatthouwilt;takebackwhatthouwilt.Andhesaysthisnotproudly,butobedientlyandwellpleasedwithher.
Shortisthelittlewhichremainstotheeoflife.Liveasonamountain.Foritmakesnodifferencewhetheramanlivesthereorhere,ifheliveseverywhereintheworldasinastate(politicalcommunity).Letmensee,letthemknowarealmanwholivesaccordingtonature.Iftheycannotendurehim,letthemkillhim.Forthatisbetterthantolivethusasmendo.
Nolongertalkatallaboutthekindofmanthatagoodmanoughttobe,butbesuch.
Constantlycontemplatethewholeoftimeandthewholeofsubstance,andconsiderthatallindividualthingsastosubstanceareagrainofafig,andastotime,theturningofagimlet.
Lookateverythingthatexists,andobservethatitisalreadyindissolutionandinchange,andasitwereputrefactionordispersion,orthateverythingissoconstitutedbynatureastodie.
Considerwhatmenarewhentheyareeating,sleeping,generating,easingthemselvesandsoforth.Thenwhatkindofmentheyarewhentheyareimperiousandarrogant,orangryandscoldingfromtheirelevatedplace.Butashorttimeagotohowmanytheywereslavesandforwhatthings;andafteralittletimeconsiderinwhataconditiontheywillbe.
Thatisforthegoodofeachthing,whichtheuniversalnaturebringstoeach.Anditisforitsgoodatthetimewhennaturebringsit.
"Theearthlovestheshower";and"thesolemnaetherloves":andtheuniverselovestomakewhateverisabouttobe.Isaythentotheuniverse,thatIloveasthoulovest.Andisnotthistoosaid,that"thisorthatloves(iswont)tobeproduced"?
Eitherthoulivesthereandhastalreadyaccustomedthyselftoit,orthouartgoingaway,andthiswasthyownwill;orthouartdyingandhastdischargedthyduty.Butbesidesthesethingsthereisnothing.Beofgoodcheer,then.
Letthisalwaysbeplaintothee,thatthispieceoflandislikeanyother;andthatallthingsherearethesamewiththingsontopofamountain,oronthesea-shore,orwhereverthouchoosesttobe.ForthouwiltfindjustwhatPlatosays,Dwellingwithinthewallsofacityasinashepherd-sfoldonamountain.
Whatismyrulingfacultynowtome?AndofwhatnatureamInowmakingit?AndforwhatpurposeamInowusingit?Isitvoidofunderstanding?Isitloosedandrentasunderfromsociallife?Isitmeltedintoandmixedwiththepoorfleshsoastomovetogetherwithit?
Hewhofliesfromhismasterisarunaway;butthelawismaster,andhewhobreaksthelawisarunaway.Andhealsowhoisgrievedorangryorafraid,isdissatisfiedbecausesomethinghasbeenorisorshallbeofthethingswhichareappointedbyhimwhorulesallthings,andheisLaw,andassignstoeverymanwhatisfit.Hethenwhofearsorisgrievedorisangryisarunaway.
Amandepositsseedinawombandgoesaway,andthenanothercausetakesit,andlaboursonitandmakesachild.Whatathingfromsuchamaterial!Again,thechildpassesfooddownthroughthethroat,andthenanothercausetakesitandmakesperceptionandmotion,andinfinelifeandstrengthandotherthings;howmanyandhowstrangeIObservethenthethingswhichareproducedinsuchahiddenway,andseethepowerjustasweseethepowerwhichcarriesthingsdownwardsandupwards,notwiththeeyes,butstillnolessplainly.
Constantlyconsiderhowallthingssuchastheynoware,intimepastalsowere;andconsiderthattheywillbethesameagain.Andplacebeforethyeyesentiredramasandstagesofthesameform,whateverthouhastlearnedfromthyexperienceorfromolderhistory;forexample,thewholecourtofHadrian,andthewholecourtofAntoninus,andthewholecourtofPhilip,Alexander,Croesus;forallthoseweresuchdramasasweseenow,onlywithdifferentactors.
Imagineeverymanwhoisgrievedatanythingordiscontentedtobelikeapigwhichissacrificedandkicksandscreams.
Likethispigalsoishewhoonhisbedinsilencelamentsthebondsinwhichweareheld.Andconsiderthatonlytotherationalanimalisitgiventofollowvoluntarilywhathappens;butsimplytofollowisanecessityimposedonall.
Severallyontheoccasionofeverythingthatthoudoest,pauseandaskthyself,ifdeathisadreadfulthingbecauseitdeprivestheeofthis.
Whenthouartoffendedatanyman-sfault,forthwithturntothyselfandreflectinwhatlikemannerthoudosterrthyself;forexample,inthinkingthatmoneyisagoodthing,orpleasure,orabitofreputation,andthelike.Forbyattendingtothisthouwiltquicklyforgetthyanger,ifthisconsiderationalsoisadded,thatthemaniscompelled:forwhatelsecouldhedo?or,ifthouartable,takeawayfromhimthecompulsion.
WhenthouhastseenSatyrontheSocratic,thinkofeitherEutychesorHymen,andwhenthouhastseenEuphrates,thinkofEutychionorSilvanus,andwhenthouhastseenAlciphronthinkofTropaeophorus,andwhenthouhastseenXenophonthinkofCritoorSeverus,andwhenthouhastlookedonthyself,thinkofanyotherCaesar,andinthecaseofeveryonedoinlikemanner.Thenletthisthoughtbeinthymind,Wherethenarethosemen?Nowhere,ornobodyknowswhere.Forthuscontinuouslythouwiltlookathumanthingsassmokeandnothingatall;especiallyifthoureflectestatthesametimethatwhathasoncechangedwillneverexistagainintheinfinitedurationoftime.Butthou,inwhatabriefspaceoftimeisthyexistence?Andwhyartthounotcontenttopassthroughthisshorttimeinanorderlyway?Whatmatterandopportunityforthyactivityartthouavoiding?Forwhatelseareallthesethings,exceptexercisesforthereason,whenithasviewedcarefullyandbyexaminationintotheirnaturethethingswhichhappeninlife?Perseverethenuntilthoushalthavemadethesethingsthyown,asthestomachwhichisstrengthenedmakesallthingsitsown,astheblazingfiremakesflameandbrightnessoutofeverythingthatisthrownintoit.
Letitnotbeinanyman-spowertosaytrulyoftheethatthouartnotsimpleorthatthouarenotgood;butlethimbealiarwhoevershallthinkanythingofthiskindaboutthee;andthisisaltogetherinthypower.Forwhoishethatshallhindertheefrombeinggoodandsimple?Dothouonlydeterminetolivenolonger,unlessthoushaltbesuch.Forneitherdoesreasonallowtheetolive,ifthouartnotsuch.
Whatisthatwhichastothismaterial(ourlife)canbedoneorsaidinthewaymostconformabletoreason.Forwhateverthismaybe,itisinthypowertodoitortosayit,anddonotmakeexcusesthatthouarthindered.Thouwiltnotceasetolamenttillthymindisinsuchaconditionthat,whatluxuryistothosewhoenjoypleasure,suchshallbetothee,inthematterwhichissubjectedandpresentedtothee,thedoingofthethingswhichareconformabletoman-sconstitution;foramanoughttoconsiderasanenjoymenteverythingwhichitisinhispowertodoaccordingtohisownnature.Anditisinhispowereverywhere.Now,itisnotgiventoacylindertomoveeverywherebyitsownmotion,noryettowaternortofire,nortoanythingelsewhichisgovernedbynatureoranirrationalsoul,forthethingswhichcheckthemandstandinthewayaremany.Butintelligenceandreasonareabletogothrougheverythingthatopposesthem,andinsuchmannerastheyareformedbynatureandastheychoose.Placebeforethyeyesthisfacilitywithwhichthereasonwillbecarriedthroughallthings,asfireupwards,asastonedownwards,asacylinderdownaninclinedsurface,andseekfornothingfurther.Forallotherobstacleseitheraffectthebodyonlywhichisadeadthing;or,exceptthroughopinionandtheyieldingofthereasonitself,theydonotcrushnordoanyharmofanykind;foriftheydid,hewhofeltitwouldimmediatelybecomebad.Now,inthecaseofallthingswhichhaveacertainconstitution,whateverharmmayhappentoanyofthem,thatwhichissoaffectedbecomesconsequentlyworse;butinthelikecase,amanbecomesbothbetter,ifonemaysayso,andmoreworthyofpraisebymakingarightuseoftheseaccidents.Andfinallyrememberthatnothingharmshimwhoisreallyacitizen,whichdoesnotharmthestate;noryetdoesanythingharmthestate,whichdoesnotharmlaw(order);andofthesethingswhicharecalledmisfortunesnotoneharmslaw.Whatthendoesnotharmlawdoesnotharmeitherstateorcitizen.
Tohimwhoispenetratedbytrueprincipleseventhebriefestpreceptissufficient,andanycommonprecept,toremindhimthatheshouldbefreefromgriefandfear.Forexample-
Leaves,somethewindscattersontheground-
Soistheraceofmen.Leaves,also,arethychildren;andleaves,too,aretheywhocryoutasiftheywereworthyofcreditandbestowtheirpraise,oronthecontrarycurse,orsecretlyblameandsneer;andleaves,inlikemanner,arethosewhoshallreceiveandtransmitaman-sfametoaftertimes.Forallsuchthingsasthese"areproducedintheseasonofspring,"asthepoetsays;thenthewindcaststhemdown;thentheforestproducesotherleavesintheirplaces.Butabriefexistenceiscommontoallthings,andyetthouavoidestandpursuestallthingsasiftheywouldbeeternal.Alittletime,andthoushaltclosethyeyes;andhimwhohasattendedtheetothygraveanothersoonwilllament.
Thehealthyeyeoughttoseeallvisiblethingsandnottosay,Iwishforgreenthings;forthisistheconditionofadiseasedeye.Andthehealthyhearingandsmellingoughttobereadytoperceiveallthatcanbeheardandsmelled.Andthehealthystomachoughttobewithrespecttoallfoodjustasthemillwithrespecttoallthingswhichitisformedtogrind.Andaccordinglythehealthyunderstandingoughttobepreparedforeverythingwhichhappens;butthatwhichsays,Letmydearchildrenlive,andletallmenpraisewhateverImaydo,isaneyewhichseeksforgreenthings,orteethwhichseekforsoftthings.
Thereisnomansofortunatethatthereshallnotbebyhimwhenheisdyingsomewhoarepleasedwithwhatisgoingtohappen.Supposethathewasagoodandwiseman,willtherenotbeatlastsomeonetosaytohimself,Letusatlastbreathefreelybeingrelievedfromthisschoolmaster?Itistruethathewasharshtononeofus,butIperceivedthathetacitlycondemnsus-Thisiswhatissaidofagoodman.Butinourowncasehowmanyotherthingsarethereforwhichtherearemanywhowishtogetridofus.Thouwiltconsiderthisthenwhenthouartdying,andthouwiltdepartmorecontentedlybyreflectingthus:Iamgoingawayfromsuchalife,inwhichevenmyassociatesinbehalfofwhomIhavestrivensomuch,prayed,andcared,themselveswishmetodepart,hopingperchancetogetsomelittleadvantagebyit.Whythenshouldamanclingtoalongerstayhere?Donothoweverforthisreasongoawaylesskindlydisposedtothem,butpreservingthyowncharacter,andfriendlyandbenevolentandmild,andontheotherhandnotasifthouwasttornaway;butaswhenamandiesaquietdeath,thepoorsouliseasilyseparatedfromthebody,suchalsooughtthydeparturefrommentobe,fornatureunitedtheetothemandassociatedthee.Butdoesshenowdissolvetheunion?Well,Iamseparatedasfromkinsmen,nothoweverdraggedresisting,butwithoutcompulsion;forthistooisoneofthethingsaccordingtonature.
Accustomthyselfasmuchaspossibleontheoccasionofanythingbeingdonebyanypersontoinquirewiththyself,Forwhatobjectisthismandoingthis?Butbeginwiththyself,andexaminethyselffirst.
Rememberthatthiswhichpullsthestringsisthethingwhichishiddenwithin:thisisthepowerofpersuasion,thisislife,this,ifonemaysosay,isman.Incontemplatingthyselfneverincludethevesselwhichsurroundstheeandtheseinstrumentswhichareattachedaboutit.Fortheyareliketoanaxe,differingonlyinthisthattheygrowtothebody.Forindeedthereisnomoreuseinthesepartswithoutthecausewhichmovesandchecksthemthanintheweaver-sshuttle,andthewriter-spenandthedriver-swhip.