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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

I. Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle

and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion.

From the fame and memory of him that begot me I have learned both

shamefastness and manlike behaviour. Of my mother I have learned

to be religious, and bountiful; and to forbear, not only to do,

but to intend any evil; to content myself with a spare diet,

and to fly all such excess as is incidental to great wealth.

Of my great-grandfather, both to frequent public schools

and auditories, and to get me good and able teachers at home;

and that I ought not to think much, if upon such occasions,

I were at excessive charges.