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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

XXXIII. As almost all her other faculties and properties

the nature of the universe bath imparted unto every

reasonable creature, so this in particular we have received

from her, that as whatsoever doth oppose itself unto her,

and doth withstand her in her purposes and intentions, she doth,

though against its will and intention, bring it about to herself,

to serve herself of it in the execution of her own destinated ends;

and so by this though not intended co-operation of it with

herself makes it part of herself whether it will or no.

So may every reasonable creature, what crosses and impediments

soever it meets with in the course of this mortal life,

it may use them as fit and proper objects, to the furtherance

of whatsoever it intended and absolutely proposed unto itself

as its natural end and happiness.