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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

XV. In the morning as soon as thou art awaked, when thy judgment,

before either thy affections, or external objects

have wrought upon it, is yet most free and impartial:

put this question to thyself, whether if that which is right

and just be done, the doing of it by thyself, or by others

when thou art not able thyself; be a thing material or no.

For sure it is not. And as for these that keep such a life,

and stand so much upon the praises, or dispraises of other men,

hast thou forgotten what manner of men they be? that such

and such upon their beds, and such at their board:

what their ordinary actions are: what they pursue after,

and what they fly from: what thefts and rapines they commit,

if not with their hands and feet, yet with that more precious

part of theirs, their minds: which (would it but admit of them)

might enjoy faith, modesty, truth, justice, a good spirit.

XVL Give what thou wilt, and take away what thou wilt, saith he that

is well taught and truly modest, to Him that gives, and takes away.

And it is not out of a stout and peremptory resolution, that he saith it,

but in mere love, and humble submission.