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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

XXIII Consider how many different things, whether they concern our bodies,

or our souls, in a moment of time come to pass in every one of us,

and so thou wilt not wonder if many more things or rather all things

that are done, can at one time subsist, and coexist in that both one

and general, which we call the world.

XXIV. if any should put this question unto thee, how this word

Antoninus is written, wouldst thou not presently fix thine

intention upon it, and utter out in order every letter of it?

And if any shall begin to gainsay thee, and quarrel with thee

about it; wilt thou quarrel with him again, or rather go on meekly

as thou hast begun, until thou hast numbered out every letter?

Here then likewise remember, that every duty that belongs unto

a man doth consist of some certain letters or numbers as it were,

to which without any noise or tumult keeping thyself thou must

orderly proceed to thy proposed end, forbearing to quarrel

with him that would quarrel and fall out with thee.