Chapter 10 volume nine

1. He who acts improperly acts impiously.For since the nature of the universe has made rational animals for the purpose of mutual cooperation, to help each other according to their part, and not to harm each other, man who acts against his will is obviously guilty of impiety against the highest providence.He who is a liar is also guilty of impiety against the same Providence, for the nature of the universe is the nature of the things that exist, and the various things that exist have a connection with all that comes into being.Furthermore, this cosmic nature is called truth and is the main cause of all real things.Thus the man who lies knowingly is guilty of impiety because of the impropriety of his lying, and the man who lies unconsciously is guilty of being disrespectful because he contradicts the nature of the universe, because he disturbs order by opposing the nature of the world. The crime of impiety, since he opposes the nature of the world, he sets himself against the truth, and since through this ignorance he receives power from nature, he is now incapable of discerning truth from falsehood.Indeed, he who seeks pleasure as good and avoids pain as evil is also guilty of impiety.For such must always be dissatisfied with the nature of the universe, and claim that it does not distribute to them what is due to the good and to the wicked, since the wicked often enjoy pleasure and possess the things that produce it, while the good have pain as their share and possess The thing that causes pain.Moreover, the person who is afraid of pain will also sometimes be afraid of certain things that happen in the world, and this fear is even disrespectful.He who pursues pleasure will not abstain from injustice, which is obviously disrespectful.As for those things for which the nature of the universe feels equally—for it would not have created them unless it felt both things equally—those who will follow nature will be of one mind with them, and feel equally These two things.Then, since pain and pleasure, birth and death, and honor and disgrace are all equally utilized by the nature of the universe, whoever does not feel them equally is obviously impious.I mean that the nature of the universe makes use of them equally, not that they occur equally to those who are produced in successive series and to those who are produced after them by some original movement of providence, which proceeds from A certain beginning moves towards this series of things, gestating certain principles of things to be, determining the forces that produce existence, change, and such a continuous series.

2. It is a man's happiest destiny to leave the world without ever having the taste for lying, hypocrisy, luxury, and pride.Yet, as the saying goes, when one has enough of these things, taking one's own life at once is the next best trip to take.And have you decided to obey evil, have you not had the experience to lead yourself from this plague?For the destruction of the intellect is a plague, more a plague than any corruption and change in the atmosphere that surrounds us.For that corruption is a plague of animals as they are animals; and this other corruption is a plague of men as they are men.

3. Do not despise death, but express normal satisfaction, for this too is one of the things that nature desires.For such things as being young, growing old, approaching and reaching maturity, growing teeth, growing beards and gray hairs, conceiving, bearing children and raising children, and all the other natural activities that the seasons of your life bring No exception.This, then, is consistent with a reflective man: that is, not to approach or contempt death lightly or impatiently, but to await it as an act of nature.Just as you are now waiting for the baby to emerge from your wife's womb, prepare for the moment when your soul will emerge from this sack.But if you also ask for a common consolation that will touch your heart, you will become most sympathetic by looking at the objects from which you will part, and the morality of those with whom your soul will no longer be with you. submit to death.For it is never right to be angry at people's faults, it is your duty to care for them and to bear them quietly; but remember also that you are not going away from people who share your principles.Because if there's anything that turns us around, it's the only thing that turns us back to life: it's allowing us to live with people who share our principles.And now you see: how great is the anguish that arises from the discord of those who live together, that you can say: Come on, rote, lest I might lose myself too.

4. The evildoer also does evil to himself.He who does unrighteousness also does it to himself soon, because he makes himself bad. 5. Not only are those who do certain things often acting improperly, but those who do not do certain things are also often acting improperly. 6. You base your present opinions on understanding, direct your present actions toward the interests of society; make your present disposition content with whatever happens—that is enough. 7. Dispel imagination, restrain desire, eliminate addiction, and keep dominance within the scope of its own power. 8. A life is distributed among irrational animals, and a rational soul is distributed among rational animals. Just as there is an earth in which all things are earthy, we use the same Seeing and breathing the same air, each of us has vision, and each of us has life.

9. All things that share one thing in common tend toward their kind, so that earthly things tend toward the earth, and liquid things tend to flow together, and so do gaseous things, so that they require some force to bring They separate.The flame of the fire is indeed due to the flame of the elements, but it is so ready to burn with all the fires here, that it wants to burn all things that are a little dry and easy to burn, because these contain less thing.Correspondingly, therefore, each being which shares common reason is also inclined in the same way to beings of its kind, and even more so.As it is so much superior to all other things, it is just as much more willing to unite or merge with its like.So we find in irrational animals beehives, herds, the rearing of chicks, love in a sense; for even in animals there are souls, and the power which brings them together seems to be Such a phenomenon is not seen in plants, stones, or woods, which are active in a superior degree.And among rational animals there are political associations and friendships, families and public gatherings, and wars, negotiations, and truces.But in superior beings, even though they are separated from each other, they are somehow united, as is the case with the stars.Then reaching this higher degree of ascension can produce a sympathy even in separate things.So look at what's happening now.For at present only rational animals forget this mutual desire and inclination, only in them do they not see the characteristic of acting together.But even when people try to avoid this union, they are still attracted and bound by it, because their social nature is so strong that you just have to watch it to see that I am speaking the truth.Then one will find any union of earthly things with non-earthly things sooner than one will be completely separated from others.

10. Man, God, and the universe all produce fruit, and they each produce it in its proper season.But it would be meaningless to apply these special words to vines or similar things in common usage.Reason produces fruit for everything and for itself, and from it other things of the same nature as reason itself. 11. If you can, correct those who do wrong by exhorting, but if you cannot, remember that you must therefore take a natural attitude.The gods also let this kind of people do what they want, for some reason they even help these people get wealth, health, fame, they are so kind.This is also within your power, or, who hinders you from doing so?

12. Do not labor as one who is compelled, nor as one who is to be pitied or praised, but direct your will to the one thing which moves you and restrains yourself, as social reason requires . 13. Today I am free from all afflictions, or rather I cast out all afflictions, for this does not happen externally, but internally, in my opinion. 14. All things are the same, familiar to experience, short in time and worthless in material.All things are now as they were in the time of the dead. 15. Things are juxtaposed outside us, they do not know themselves, and do not express any judgment.So what is it that judges them?is the ability to dominate.

16. The good and evil of a rational social animal are not in passive activities, but in active activities, just as his virtue and evil are not in passive activities but in active activities. 17. To the stone that is thrown, it is no evil to fall, nor indeed a good to be carried. 18. Go deep into people's guiding principles, and you will see what judgments you fear, and what judgments they are themselves. 19. Everything is in change, and you yourself are in constant change, and to some extent are in constant destruction, and so is the whole universe. 20. It is your duty to let the bad behavior of others stay where it is without affecting you.

21. The cessation of activity, the cessation of movement and opinion, their death in a certain sense, these are by no means evil.Now turn to your life, your life as a child, as a youth, as a man, and as an old man, for in this also every change is a kind of death.Is this something to be afraid of?Now turn to your life in your grandfather, then your life in your mother, your life in your father, and when you find many other differences, changes and destructions, ask yourself, Are things worth being afraid of?Then, too, the extinguishment, cessation and change of your whole being is by no means a thing to be feared.

22. Take the time to examine your own domination, the universe's dominion, and your neighbor's dominion.Of your own dominion, you can make it right; of the universe's dominion, you can remember that you are a part of it; of your neighbor's dominion, you can know whether he acts knowingly or knowingly, Also consider that his dominance is similar to yours. 23. Since you yourself are an integral part of a social system, you should also make your every behavior an integral part of social life.All your conduct, then, whatever is not directly or indirectly connected with social ends, divides your life, breaks its unity, has a rebellious quality, just as at a public meeting a man breaks away from the general Agreement and go its own way.

24. The quarrels of the children, their sports, the poor spirits carrying their dead bodies, all are like this.Therefore, what is revealed in the depiction of the house of the dead comes to our eyes more clearly. 25. To penetrate into the formal nature of an object, to separate it completely from its material parts, then to meditate on it, and then to judge the time, which is the longest time that this particular form of things naturally lasts. 26. When your power of domination does what it was born to do, you suffer untold misery because you are dissatisfied with it.But that's enough. 27. When another person condemns you or hates you, or when people talk of hurting you, go near their poor souls, go deep into them, and see what kind of people they are.You will find no reason to be troubled by the opinion these people may have of you in one way or another.You have to treat them well no matter what, because they are your natural friends.The gods can dream in various ways, and help them achieve those things that they value by virtue of virtue. 28. The periodic motion of the universe is the same, going back and forth from one era to another.Either the intellect of the universe produces all kinds of effects by its own motion, and if so you are content with the results of its action; or once it moves, everything else comes in a continuous manner; It is the indivisible element that is the root of all things. - In short, if there is a god, all is well; if chance rules, do not be ruled by it. The earth will soon bury us all, and then the earth will change, and from the changes things will continue to change forever, and so on.For if one contemplates the changing and transfiguring one after the other like waves, and the rapidity of this change, he will despise all this decaying thing. 29. The principle of the universe is like a winter torrent, which takes everything with it.But how worthless are all those poor people who intervene in political affairs thinking they are playing philosophers!And all the chasers.Well then, man, do what nature now demands.If you have the power, go into action, don't look around to see if anyone will notice it, and don't expect Plato's utopia.And it is no small thing to consider such a thing as long as the smallest thing goes well.For who can change people's opinions?How can one get rid of the slavery that groans while feigning obedience without a change of opinion?Now tell me about Alexandria, Philip, and Demetrius of Philenium.They themselves will judge whether they have discovered what their common nature requires, and train themselves accordingly.But if they act like tragic heroes, no one can accuse me of imitating them.Simplicity and modesty are the work of philosophy.Do not lead me away to laziness and pride. 30. Look down on the multitudes, their countless solemn ceremonies, and their infinitely varied voyages in storm or tranquility, and look down on the differences among those who are born, live together, and die.Consider also the lives of those who lived in times past, who will live after you, who are now living among barbarians, how many will not even know your name, how many will soon forget it, consider Those who may now praise you will soon condemn you, and a posthumous fame is of no value, nor fame nor anything else. 31. Let you be free from interruptions of things from external causes, and just in what you do from internal reasons, in other words, let your actions and activities be limited to those that are beneficial to society, because this is in accordance with your nature. 32. You can clear the way of many useless things from those things that bother you, for they are entirely in your opinion, and you will gain wide space for yourself in this way: that is, by thinking in your mind the whole universe , contemplating the eternity of time, observing the ephemerality of everything, the brevity from birth to death and the infinite abyss of time before birth and after death. 33. All things you see will decay quickly, and those who saw them disintegrate will soon be dead.Those who live the longest will be taken to the same place as those who died young. 34. What are the guiding principles of these people, what kind of things are they busy with, and what reasons do they love and respect for these things?Suppose you saw the poor souls in their nakedness.What a strange notion it is that they think they have done harm by their condemnation, or good by their praise! 35. Loss is nothing but change.And the nature of the universe rejoices in change, and by obeying it, all things are going well now, and have been going on in a like manner since ancient times, and will be going on in the endless future.So what do you say?Do you say that all things have always been and will always be bad, that no power has yet been found in so many gods to correct them, and that the world is destined to be established in such a way that evil does not cease? 36. The decay of matter that is the basis of all things!Water, dust, bones, rubbish, or: marble - hardening of the soil; gold and silver - alluvial deposits; clothes - just some furs; dyed purple robes - blood; all others are of the same nature.The one thing that is of the nature of breathing is another thing of the same nature, and changes from the one to the other. 37. Enough of this miserable life, moaning, and stupid tricks.why are you botheredIs there anything new here?Is there something disturbing?Is it the form of things?Pay attention to it.Or is it the material?watch it.And there's nothing beyond that.Turn to God, then, now at last it is simpler and better.Whether we spend 100 years or 300 years examining these things, the conclusion is the same. 38. If anyone makes a wrong report, the damage is to himself.But maybe he did nothing wrong. 39. Either all things come from one intellectual principle, united in one body, then the parts should not be dissatisfied with what they do for the good of the whole; or there are only atoms, and nothing but their mixing and disintegration nothing else.So why are you bothered?Say to the governing power: Are you dead?Are you decayed, are you playing the role of a hypocrite?Are you going to turn into a beast, do you flock with other people and resent them? 40. The gods either have power or they don't, so if they don't have power, why do you pray to them?And if they have power, why don't you pray to them for this ability not to fear anything you fear, or desire anything you desire, or suffer over anything?Instead, pray that these things will happen or not happen?Because sure, if they can work with people, they can work together in these ways.But perhaps you will say that the gods have placed these abilities within your sphere of power.Well, then, is it not better to use as a free man what is within your power than to desire in a slavish and base manner that which is not within your power?Who told you that the gods do not help us even in matters within our power?So, go and pray about things like this, as you can see, when one prays like: How am I going to sleep in that woman's bed?And you have to pray like this: How can I keep myself from having this desire?When others pray like that: How can I not lose my youngest son?And you should pray like this: How can I not be afraid of losing him?In short, pray in this way, and then see the result. 41. Epicurus said, My discourse in sickness did not concern the pain of my body, I do not speak of this subject to those who visit me, but continue to discuss the nature of things as before, maintaining this theme: That is, how the mind, while sharing the motions that go on in the poor body, does not disturb, and holds fast to its proper good.He said, I don't give doctors a chance to put on a dignified look, as if they were doing something great, while my life was running peacefully and happily.If you are sick, then, do the same as he does in sickness as in any other occasion, for philosophy must never be abandoned in anything that befalls us, and it is a cardinal principle of all schools of philosophy That is: instead of engaging in meaningless conversation with an ignorant or unnatural person, pay attention only to what you are doing and the means by which you are doing it. 42. When someone's shameless behavior offends you, ask yourself directly, is it possible that there are no shameless people in this world?This is impossible.So don't ask for the impossible.Because the person who offended you is also one of those shameless people who must not exist in this world.When you meet liars, treacherous people, and all people who are evil in some way, let the same thought come to you, because then you can immediately remind yourself that it is impossible for such people not to exist. Will become more kind to everyone.At such times it is also useful to grasp at once: to consider what virtue nature confers on man who is opposed to all evil deeds.For nature has given man some other power, as an antidote against the stupid, the mad, and the other.In any case it is possible for you to correct those who have gone astray by persuading them, for every man who does wrong has lost his purpose and gone astray.In addition, where else have you been damaged?For you will find that among those who have offended you, none have done anything that can make your heart bad, and that which is evil and damage to you has its basis only in the heart.If an uneducated man behaves like an uneducated man, what harm is done?Or is there anything strange about it?Consider whether you might as well condemn yourself for not anticipating that such a person would err in this way.Because you originally had the means given by reason to assume that he made this mistake, but you forgot to use it and wondered at his mistake.In most situations where you accuse someone of being treacherous or ungrateful, you can turn that blame on yourself.For the error is clearly your own, and you either believed that a man so inclined would keep his word; The way to get all the benefits from your actions bestow, when you do some kind of service to someone and want something more?Are you not satisfied that you have done what is in your nature, but seek a reward for it?As if the eye demands a reward for seeing, the foot demands a reward for walking?As these parts of the body were made for a particular purpose, and by working according to their respective constitutions, obtain what is their own; When he acts in accordance with his structure, he gets what is his own when he acts in accordance with his structure.