AT thy first encounter with anyone, say presently to thyself; This man, what are his
opinions concerning that which is good or evil?
as concerning pain, pleasure, and the causes of
both; concerning honour, and dishonour, concerning
life and death; thus and thus. Now if
it be no wonder that a man should have such and
such opinions, how can it be a wonder that he
should do such and such things? I will remember
then, that he cannot but do as he doth holding
those opinions that he doth. Remember, that as
it is a shame for any man to wonder that a figtree
should bear figs, so also to wonder that the
World should bear anything, whatsoever it is
which in the ordinary course of nature it may
bear. To a physician also and to a pilot it is
a shame either for the one to wonder, that such
and such a one should have an ague; or for the
other, that the winds should prove contrary.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book x. 24.
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