XLIII. Let thy course ever be the most compendious way. The most
THE FIFTH BOOK
I. In the morning when thou findest thyself unwilling to rise, consider II. How easy a thing is it for a man to put off from him all turbulent III. Think thyself fit and worthy to speak, or to do anything that is
IV. I continue my course by actions according to nature, until I
V. No man can admire thee for thy sharp acute language, such is thy
VI. Such there be, who when they have done a good turn to any, are ready VII. The form of the Athenians' prayer did run thus: 'O rain, rain, good VIII. As we say commonly, The physician hath prescribed unto this man, IX. Be not discontented, be not disheartened, be not out of hope, if
X. Thou must comfort thyself in the expectation of thy natural
XI. What is the use that now at this present I make of my soul? Thus XII. What those things are in themselves, which by the greatest part are XIII. All that I consist of, is either form or matter. No corruption can
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XIV. Reason, and rational power, are faculties which content themselves
XV. Such as thy thoughts and ordinary cogitations are, such will thy XVI. To desire things impossible is the part of a mad man. But it is a XVII. After one consideration, man is nearest unto us; as we are bound XVIII. Honour that which is chiefest and most powerful in the world, and XIX. That which doth not hurt the city itself; cannot hurt any citizen.
XX. Let not that chief commanding part of thy soul be ever subject to
XXI. To live with the Gods. He liveth with the Gods, who at all times
XXII. Be not angry neither with him whose breath, neither with him whose
XXIII. 'Where there shall neither roarer be, nor harlot.' Why so? As XXIV. That rational essence by which the universe is governed, is for XXV. How hast thou carried thyself hitherto towards the Gods? towards XXVI. Why should imprudent unlearned souls trouble that which is XXVII. Within a very little while, thou wilt be either ashes, or a
XXVIII. Thou mayest always speed, if thou wilt but make choice of the XXIX. If this neither be my wicked act, nor an act anyways depending XXX. Let death surprise rue when it will, and where it will, I may be a
THE SIXTH BOOK
I. The matter itself, of which the universe doth consist, is of itself
II. Be it all one unto thee, whether half frozen or well warm; whether
III. Look in, let not either the proper quality, or the true worth of IV. All substances come soon to their change, and either they shall V. The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.
VI. Let this be thy only joy, and thy only comfort, from one sociable VII. The rational commanding part, as it alone can stir up and turn VIII. According to the nature of the universe all things particular are
IX. Whensoever by some present hard occurrences thou art constrained to
X. If it were that thou hadst at one time both a stepmother, and
XI. How marvellous useful it is for a man to represent unto himself
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XII. See what Crates pronounceth concerning Xenocrates himself.
XIII. Those things which the common sort of people do admire, are most
XIV. Some things hasten to be, and others to be no more. And even XV. Not vegetative spiration, it is not surely (which plants have) that XVI. Under, above, and about, are the motions of the elements; but XVII. Who can choose but wonder at them? They will not speak well of XVIII. Do not ever conceive anything impossible to man, which by thee XIX. Suppose that at the palestra somebody hath all to-torn thee with XX. If anybody shall reprove me, and shall make it apparent unto me, XXI. I for my part will do what belongs unto me; as for other things, XXII. Alexander of Macedon, and he that dressed his mules, when once XXIII Consider how many different things, whether they concern our
XXIV. if any should put this question unto thee, how this word Antoninus XXV. Is it not a cruel thing to forbid men to affect those things, which XXVI. Death is a cessation from the impression of the senses, the
XXVII. If in this kind of life thy body be able to hold out, it is a XXVIII. Do all things as becometh the disciple of Antoninus Pius. XXIX. Stir up thy mind, and recall thy wits again from thy natural XXX. I consist of body and soul. Unto my body all things are
XXXI. As long as the foot doth that which belongeth unto it to do, and XXXII. Dost thou not see, how even those that profess mechanic arts, XXXIII. Asia, Europe; what are they, but as corners of the whole world; XXXIV He that seeth the things that are now, hath Seen all that either XXXV. Fit and accommodate thyself to that estate and to those
XXXVI. What things soever are not within the proper power and XXXVII. We all work to one effect, some willingly, and with a rational XXXVIII. Doth either the sun take upon him to do that which belongs to XXXIX. If so be that the Gods have deliberated in particular of those
XL. Whatsoever in any kind doth happen to any one, is expedient to the
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XLI. As the ordinary shows of the theatre and of other such places, XLII. Let the several deaths of men of all sorts, and of all sorts of XLIII. When thou wilt comfort and cheer thyself, call to mind the
XLIV. Dost thou grieve that thou dost weigh but so many pounds, and not XLV. Let us do our best endeavours to persuade them; but however, if XLVI. The ambitious supposeth another man's act, praise and applause, to XLVII. It is in thy power absolutely to exclude all manner of conceit XLVIII. Use thyself when any man speaks unto thee, so to hearken unto XLIX. That which is not good for the bee-hive, cannot be good for the
L. Will either passengers, or patients, find fault and complain, either
LI. How many of them who came into the world at the same time when I LII. To them that are sick of the jaundice, honey seems bitter; and to
LIII. No man can hinder thee to live as thy nature doth require. Nothing
LIV. What manner of men they be whom they seek to please, and what to
THE SEVENTH BOOK
I. What is wickedness? It is that which many time and often thou hast
II. What fear is there that thy dogmata, or philosophical resolutions
III. That which most men would think themselves most happy for, and
IV. Word after word, every one by itself, must the things that are
V. Is my reason, and understanding sufficient for this, or no? If it be VI. Let not things future trouble thee. For if necessity so require that VII. Whatsoever is material, doth soon vanish away into the common VIII. To a reasonable creature, the same action is both according
IX. Straight of itself, not made straight.
X. As several members in one body united, so are reasonable creatures
XI. Of things that are external, happen what will to that which can
XII. Whatsoever any man either doth or saith, thou must be good; not for
XIII. This may ever be my comfort and security: my understanding, that
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XIV. What is rv&nfLovia, or happiness: but a7~o~ &d~wv, or, a good XV. Is any man so foolish as to fear change, to which all things that XVI. Through the substance of the universe, as through a torrent pass
XVII. The nature of the universe, of the common substance of all things XVIII. An angry countenance is much against nature, and it is oftentimes XIX. Whensoever any man doth trespass against other, presently consider XX. Fancy not to thyself things future, as though they were present
XXI. Wipe off all opinion stay the force and violence of unreasonable XXII. All things (saith he) are by certain order and appointment. And XXIII. Out of Plato. 'He then whose mind is endowed with true XXIV. Out of Antisthenes. 'It is a princely thing to do well, and to