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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

X. How ridiculous and strange is he, that wonders at anything

that happens in this life in the ordinary course of nature!

XI. Either fate, (and that either an absolute necessity,

and unavoidable decree; or a placable and flexible Providence)

or all is a mere casual confusion, void of all order and government.

If an absolute and unavoidable necessity, why doest thou resist?

If a placable and exorable Providence, make thyself worthy

of the divine help and assistance. If all be a mere confusion

without any moderator, or governor, then hast thou reason

to congratulate thyself; that in such a general flood of

confusion thou thyself hast obtained a reasonable faculty,

whereby thou mayest govern thine own life and actions.

But if thou beest carried away with the flood, it must be thy

body perchance, or thy life, or some other thing that belongs unto

them that is carried away: thy mind and understanding cannot.

Or should it be so, that the light of a candle indeed is still

bright and lightsome until it be put out: and should truth,

and righteousness, and temperance cease to shine in thee whiTest

thou thyself bast any being?