Page:The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.pdf/108

soul to be confused, and put out of sorts when any one thinks proper to abuse thee. Consider the hindrances as well as the end of all thou wouldst undertake, otherwise, heedless of the issue, and reckless of the cost, thou wilt be overwhelmed at the event.

Wouldst conquer in the Olympic games; so would I, God willing, for it confers renown. But consider the obstacles and possible results, ere thou dost begin. Must live by rule; eat what is disagreeable; refrain from delicacies; labour per force, during heat and cold—in a word, obey, as thou wouldst a physician, the man who trains thee. Now for the struggle; dost sprain wrist or ancle, perchance bite the dust, or infringe the rules, and art punished, after all to be vanquished. Consider these things, and go on if thou wilt; otherwise, with childish inconstancy, wouldst now be a wrestler, now an orator, now a philosopher, but with thy whole heart nothing; without consideration or design, aping one thing or another, just as it strikes thy fancy. Dost resemble those, who, having seen a philosopher, or heard Euphrates speak, for who would not speak like him, forthwith play the philosopher likewise. What wouldst thou man—study nature if thou canst. Wouldst be a wrestler; 'tis well, look to thy thews and sinews, for every one is not formed alike—or, better still, a philosopher. Dost suppose in this case thoult be able to pamper thyself as at present? No, by heaven; thou must watch by night and toil by day; it may be, part from home and friends—contemned by thy inferiors—held in disesteem; in a word, come off indifferently in whatever thou dost engage. Reflect, then, and see whether thou art resolved to make the good purchase of freedom, resignation, and tranquillity. Wherefore this childish uncertainty? Hast a character to form for good or for ill—must improve the man within or the world without—the interior or the exterior—in a word, be a philosopher or a fool.