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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

XVIII. Not to wander out of the way, but upon every motion and desire,

to perform that which is just: and ever to be careful to attain

to the true natural apprehension of every fancy, that presents itself.

XIX. Whatsoever is expedient unto thee, O World, is expedient unto me;

nothing can either be 'unseasonable unto me, or out of date,

which unto thee is seasonable. Whatsoever thy seasons bear,

shall ever by me be esteemed as happy fruit, and increase.

O Nature! from thee are all things, in thee all things subsist,

and to thee all tend. Could he say of Athens, Thou lovely city

of Cecrops; and shalt not thou say of the world, Thou lovely

city of God?