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Meditations · Marcus Aurelius

XXXII. Dost thou not see, how even those that profess

mechanic arts, though in some respect they be no better than

mere idiots, yet they stick close to the course of their trade,

neither can they find in their heart to decline from it:

and is it not a grievous thing that an architect, or a physician

shall respect the course and mysteries of their profession,

more than a man the proper course and condition of his

own nature, reason, which is common to him and to the Gods?

XXXIII. Asia, Europe; what are they, but as corners of

the whole world; of which the whole sea, is but as one drop;

and the great Mount Athos, but as a clod, as all present

time is but as one point of eternity. All, petty things;

all things that are soon altered, soon perished.

And all things come from one beginning; either all severally

and particularly deliberated and resolved upon, by the general

ruler and governor of all; or all by necessary consequence.

So that the dreadful hiatus of a gaping lion, and all poison,

and all hurtful things, are but (as the thorn and the mire)

the necessary consequences of goodly fair things.

Think not of these therefore, as things contrary to those which

thou dost much honour, and respect; but consider in thy mind.

the true fountain of all.