Роздуми

           Sowithallofthem.

           Hadrian,leavingCeler.AndCeler.

           Wherehavetheygone,thebrilliant,theinsightfulones,theproud?BrilliantasCharaxandDemetriusthePlatonistandEudaemonandtherestofthem.Short-livedcreatures,longdead.Someofthemnotrememberedatall,somebecomelegends,somelosteventolegend.

           Soremember:yourcomponentswillbescatteredtoo,thelifewithinyouquenched.Ormarchingordersandanotherposting.

           26.Joyforhumansliesinhumanactions.

           Humanactions:kindnesstoothers,contemptforthesenses,theinterrogationofappearances,observationofnatureandofeventsinnature.

           27.Threerelationships:

           I.withthebodyyouinhabit;

           II.withthedivine,thecauseofeverythinginallthings;

           III.withthepeoplearoundyou.

           28.Eitherpainaffectsthebody(whichisthebody’sproblem)oritaffectsthesoul.Butthesoulcanchoosenottobeaffected,preservingitsownserenity,itsowntranquillity.Allourdecisions,urges,desires,aversionsliewithin.Noevilcantouchthem.

           29.Toerasefalseperceptions,tellyourself:Ihaveitinmetokeepmysoulfromevil,lustandallconfusion.Toseethingsastheyareandtreatthemastheydeserve.Don’toverlookthisinnateability.

           30.TospeaktotheSenate—oranyone—intherighttone,withoutbeingoverbearing.