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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

XXXI. When thou seest Satyro, think of Socraticus and Eutyches,

or Hymen, and when Euphrates, think of Eutychio, and Sylvanus,

when Alciphron, of Tropaeo-phorus, when Xenophon, of Crito, or Severus.

And when thou doest look upon thyself, fancy unto thyself some one

or other of the Caasars; and so for every one, some one or other

that hath been for estate and profession answerable unto him.

Then let this come to thy mind at the same time; and where now are

they all? Nowhere or anywhere? For so shalt thou at all time.

be able to perceive how all worldly things are but as the smoke,

that vanisheth away: or, indeed, mere nothing. Espccially when thou

shalt call to mind this also, that whatsoever is once changed,

shall never be again as long as the world endureth. And thou then,

how long shalt thou endure? And why doth it not suffice thee,

if virtuously, and as becometh thee, thou mayest pass that portion

of time, how little soever it be, that is allotted unto thee?