Book XI.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome and Chrystal, George W. (George William)
24. The Spartans at their public shows set seats for strangers in the shade, but sat themselves where they found room.
25. Socrates made this excuse for not going to Perdiccas upon his invitation: “Lest I should come to the worst of all ends, by receiving favours which I could not return.”
26. In the writings of the Ephesians there is a precept, frequently to call to remembrance some of those who cultivated virtue of old.
27. The Pythagoreans recommended that we should look at the heavens in the morning, to put us in mind of beings that go on doing their proper work uniformly and continuously; and of their order, purity and naked simplicity; for there is no veil upon a star.
28. Think of Socrates clad in a skin, when Xanthippe had taken his cloak and gone out; and what he said to his friends, who were ashamed, and would have left him when they saw him dressed in such an extraordinary fashion.
29. In writing and reading you must be led before you can lead. Much more is this so in life.
30. Yourself a slave, your speech cannot be free.
31.And my heart laughed within me.
32.Virtue herself they blame with harshest words.
33. To look for figs in winter is madness; and so it is to long for a child that may no longer be yours.
34. Epictetus said that, when you kiss your child, you should whisper within yourself: “To-morrow perhaps he may die.” “Ill-omened words!” say you. “The words have no evil omen,” says he, “but simply indicate an act of Nature. Is it of evil omen to say the corn is reaped?”
35. The green grape, the ripe cluster, the dried grape are all changes, not into nothing, but into that which is not at present.
36. No man can rob you of your liberty of action; as has been said by Epictetus.
37. He tells us also that we must find out the true art of assenting; and in treating of our impulses he says that we must be vigilant in restraining them, that they may act with proper reservation, with public spirit, with due sense of proportion; also that we should refrain utterly from sensual passion; and not be restive in matters where we have no control.
38. The contention is not about any chance matter, said he, but as to whether we are insane or sane.
39. What do you desire? says Socrates. To have the souls of rational beings or of irrational? Rational. Rational of what kind, virtuous or vicious? Virtuous. Why then do you not seek after such souls? Because we have them already. Why then do you fight and stand at variance?
END OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK.