REQUIRE not things to happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.
EPICTETUS. MANUAL. 8.
FIT and accommodate thyself to that estate and to those occurrences, which by the destinies have been annexed unto thee ; and love those men whom thy fate it is to live with; but love them truly. An instrument, a tool, an utensil, whatsoever it be, if it be fit for the purpose it was made for, it is as it should be, though he perchance that made and fitted it, be out of sight and gone. But in things natural, that power which hath framed and fitted them, is and abideth within them still: for which reason she ought also the more to be respected, and we are the more obliged (if we may live and pass our time according to her purpose and intention) to think that all is well with us, and according to our own minds. After this manner also, and in this respect, it is that he that is all in all doth enjoy his happiness.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book vi. 35.
Love those whom fate has placed in your path. Love them truly. An instrument, a tool, an utensil, any object, if it is well made for the purpose it was intended for, is to be admired, even though its creator is may be gone. But natural things are divinely made, and that dinity stays with them and within them. Should we not therefore to respect these even more? Are we not obliged, if we are to live well as we have been designed to, to admire each other, to respect and even to revere each other? In this way may we all, in all circumstances, enjoy our happiness. We too easily forget that each of us is a miracle of the universe. We are, each of us, a example of the Cosmos trying to understand itself. We are star stuff, contemplating the stars. Let us hold each other in this light. (a lesson from Marcus Aurelius)
ReplyDeleteLove those whom fate has placed in your path. Love them truly. We too easily forget that each of us is a miracle of the universe. We are, each of us, a example of the Cosmos trying to understand itself. We are star stuff, contemplating the stars. Let us hold each other in this light. If we are to live well as we have been designed to, we must grow to admire each other, to respect and even to revere each other. In this way may we all, in all circumstances, enjoy our happiness. - Inspired by Marcus Aurelius (and Carl Sagan)
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