Page:The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.pdf/103

them; the half-instructed, themselves; the well-instructed, no one.

Be not elated with questionable advantages. A horse might pride himself on his looks, but this were intolerable in a man. When thou dost employ thy faculties, indeed, as nature dictates, there is ground for satisfaction, for it is an excellence within thy control.

As in a voyage, when the ship puts into port, and thou dost go ashore to procure water or other necessaries, give close heed to the ship, so that when the pilot hails, thou mayest depart without constraint. Thus, in the course of life, be prepared to quit wife and child when the governor of the universe calls; but, if far on in years, be ever ready, so that thou mayest not be wanting when the signal comes.

Do not wish events to be otherwise than they are, but take them just as they come, and it shall be well with thee.

Sickness is a hindrance to the body but none to the soul; lameness may cause the foot to stumble, but not the head. Reflect, and thoult perceive whatever obstacle events may prove to others, they need be none to thee.

Whatever happens, retire within thyself and see how thou mayest best encounter it. If beauty tempt, thoult find continence a remedy; if pain assail, hardihood will come to thy deliverance: thus, confirmed by practice, false notions will cease to have any power over thee.

Never say thou hast lost anything, but only restored it. Thus, thy child hath died—thou hast restored him; possessions have been ravished from thee—these, too, thou hast restored. But the spoiler was wicked; even so, what matters it through whose hands the giver resumes his gifts. Care for them as belonging to another, much as the traveller would for his inn.

Art desirous of improving, thou must put away such thoughts as—if I do not take heed I shall be penniless―