The Most-Read Classics
Catalogue  /  Meditations  /  XXX. Contract thy whole life to the measure and proportion of one
Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

XXX. Contract thy whole life to the measure and proportion of one

single action. And if in every particular action thou dost perform

what is fitting to the utmost of thy power, let it suffice thee.

And who can hinder thee, but that thou mayest perform what

is fitting? But there may be some outward let and impediment.

Not any, that can hinder thee, but that whatsoever thou dost,

thou may do it, justly, temperately, and with the praise of God.

Yea, but there may be somewhat, whereby some operation or other

of thine may he hindered. And then, with that very thing that

doth hinder, thou mayest he well pleased, and so by this gentle

and equanimious conversion of thy mind unto that which may be,

instead of that which at first thou didst intend, in the room

of that former action there succeedeth another, which agrees

as well with this contraction of thy life, that we now speak of.