Chapter 11 volume ten

1. O my soul, would you not be kind, simple, pure, and frank, more evident than the body that surrounds you?Would you not enjoy a forgiving and contented disposition?Would you not be full, want nothing, desire more, desire nothing, animate or inanimate, for pleasure and enjoyment?Don't you long for a longer pleasant time, don't you desire a suitable temple owner and climate, or a group of people with whom you can live harmoniously?But would you be content with your present condition and be delighted with all that surrounds you?Convince yourself that you have everything, that they come from the gods, that everything is right for you, that everything that pleases the gods is good, that they exist for the preservation of perfect life, for Is everything good that will be given while preserving goodness, justice, and beauty?That perfect living being sums up and unites all things, contains and embraces all that is dissolved for the production of other like things.Would you not have it so that you could live with gods and men without complaining about them or being condemned by them?

2. To the extent that you are merely governed by nature, notice what your nature requires, then accept it and fulfill it, as long as your nature is not corrupted insofar as you are a living being.Then you must observe what your nature requires of you as a living being.All of this you can promise yourself as long as your nature is not corrupted as far as you are a rational animal.But the rational animal is thus also a political (social) animal.So use these rules, and don't trouble yourself about anything else. 3. Everything that happens either happens in the way you were created to endure it, or in the way you were not created to endure it.Well, if it happens the previous way, don't complain, but live with it the way you were born to live with it.But if it happens in the latter way, don't complain, because it will disappear before it consumes you.Remember, however: you were made to endure these, and you will make them bearable by your own opinion, by thinking that it is either your interest or your duty to do so.

4. If a person is wrong, then kindly guide him and explain his mistake.But if you cannot, then blame yourself, or even blame yourself. 5. Whatever happens to you has been prepared for you throughout eternity, the loom of cause and effect weaving through eternity the threads of you and the things associated with you. 6. Whether the universe is a collection of atoms, or nature is a system, first of all, I must be convinced that I am a part of the whole governed by nature; second, that I am in some way closely related to other parts of my own kind.For remember this, since I am a part, I cannot be dissatisfied with anything that is assigned to me out of the whole.For what exists for the benefit of the whole cannot be harmful to the part.For the whole contains nothing that is unhelpful to it; and while all natures have this common principle, the nature of the universe has this additionally, that it cannot even be compelled by anything external to produce anything harmful to itself. thing.So, by remembering that I am part of the whole, I will be content with everything that happens.And since I am in some way connected with those parts of my own kind, I will not do anti-social things, but rather orient myself towards my fellow-doings, devoting all my energies to the public good, And reject what is contrary to the public interest.Well, if you do this, life will be happy, as you can see: happy is the life of a man who keeps doing what is good for other citizens, who fulfills everything that is assigned to him by the state .

7. By the parts of the whole, I mean all things which are naturally contained in the universe, must perish; but destruction is to be understood in such a sense that they must undergo change.But if it were naturally both an evil and a necessity for the parts, the whole would not continue to exist under a good condition, since its parts are changing and they structures that make them perish in different ways.For does nature herself plan to do evil to those things which are part of her, thereby making them subject to evil, and necessarily falling into it, or do these effects happen without nature knowing it?In fact, none of these assumptions are credible.But if one does not use the word "nature" (as an acting force), but says that all the above things are natural, even then, on the one hand, it is affirmed that the parts of the whole are by their nature subject to change. , and on the other hand to be amazed or annoyed, as if something contrary to nature were happening, especially when things decompose into those things of which each is composed, and that would be ridiculous.For either the disintegration of the elements of which things are composed, or the transformation of solid into earth, and from gas into air, returns these parts to the reason of the universe, and this is either destroyed by fire in a definite period, or Renewed by eternal change, do not imagine that the solid and gaseous parts belong to you from the time of creation.For all this growth they have received, so to speak, from food and the air they took in yesterday and the day before yesterday.All this growth and change, then, is not only produced by your mother.But it is conceivable that what your mother produced was to connect you to a great extent with that other part of changing character, which in fact is not contrary to what has been said above.

8. If you have acquired these names: Kindness, Modesty, Sincerity, Reason, Calmness, Open-mindedness, be careful not to change them; if you lose them, quickly return to them.Remember that the word "reason" is meant to signify a discernment of all individual things and freedom from ignorance; "calmness" means a willing acceptance of what common nature assigns you; Beyond the pleasurable or painful sensations of the body, beyond all those miserable things called fame, death, and so on.If, then, you would preserve these names for yourself, and not have them called by others, you would become another person, and enter into another life.For, to remain what you are, to be torn and defiled by such a life, is the quality of a great fool and one who loves his own life too much, like those bitten and bruised gladiators who fight wild beasts, Though covered with wounds and gore, they beg to be kept till the next day, though they will be thrown to the same claws and bites in the same state.So stick to these names, and if you can dwell among them, it will be as if you have returned to dwell on some island of bliss.But if you perceive that you are out of them, that you have not grasped them, go bravely to the corner where you will keep them, or even give up life at once, not in passion, but simply, voluntarily and humbly, in doing After this admirable thing in your life at least, leave it like this.However, if you remember the gods, remember that they, though unwilling to be flattered, wish all rational beings to be fashioned like them; remember that the work of a fig tree is to be a fig tree; the work of a dog Just be a dog, a bee's job is to be a bee, a man's job is to be a human being, and that will help you a lot to remember the names.

9. Antics, wars, surprises, dullness, and slavery will daily drive out your divine principles.How many things have you imagined without studying nature?How many things do you neglect so that it becomes your duty to observe and practice all things while perfecting your powers to deal with circumstances, to train your thinking skills, to hold without showing off but without hiding a certainty that comes from knowledge of every particular thing .For when will you enjoy simplicity, and grandeur, and knowledge of all individual things?That knowledge includes what each thing is in reality, what place it occupies in the universe, how long it will exist in this form, what it is made of, to whom it belongs, who can give it and take it away.

10. A spider is proud when it catches a fly; and when another animal catches a poor hare, catches a bit of fish in the net, catches a wild boar or a bear, takes captive Sarma The Tia people were also proud.If you examine their opinions, aren't these people robbers? 11. The manner in which you will master this meditation: observe how all things change into one another, and be always mindful of this change, and train yourself in this side of philosophy.For nothing is so well adapted to generate generosity.Such a person is not concerned with the body, because he understands that at some point (no one knows how long) he must leave this world and leave everything here, he only cares to behave righteously in all his actions, and in everything else that happens The middle follows the nature of the universe.And as to what others will say about him, or think of him, or against him, he does not even think about it, but contentes himself with two things: one, to be upright in what he is doing; Be content with what is allotted to him now.He set aside all distractions and busy pursuits, and wanted nothing else—to walk the straight path through the Dhamma, and to follow God through the straight path.

12. Since it is within your power to inquire what ought to be done, why is there any need for suspicious fear?If you can see clearly, go through it with satisfaction and don't turn back; if you can't see well, stop and ask the best counselor.But if anything else is against you, proceed prudently and wisely according to your strength, and keep that which seems right.Because it is best to reach that goal, and if you can't make it, also let your failure be a failure to try.A man who follows reason in all things is at once serene and active, cheerful and calm. 13. Upon waking from sleep ask yourself if it would have been any different to you if the other had done what is just and right.It won't make a difference.

I suppose you haven't forgotten what kind of people are those who are arrogant when they praise or judge others, they are people in bed or boats; don't you forget what they do, what they avoid, what they pursue and how they steal and rob, not with their hands and feet, but with their most precious parts.This part could have been used to produce faithfulness, modesty, sincerity, law-abiding and a good Patronus (happiness) when one wanted to. 14. To the natural, cultured, and humble who give all and take all, say, Give as you will, and take as you will.He did not say this with pride, but with allegiance and joy to nature.

15. You are dying.Live as if you were on a mountain.For if a man lives anywhere in the world as he lives in a country (political body), it does not matter to him whether he lives here or there.Let people see it and let them know someone who really lives by his nature.If they can't stand him, let them kill him.Because it's better than living like people. 16. Don't talk about the qualities that a noble person should have at all, but be such a person. 17. Constantly meditate on all time and the whole entity, considering all individual things as a drop in the ocean to the entity, and like a turn of the corkscrew to time.

18. Be mindful of all that exists, and observe that which has dissolved and changed, as if it were decaying and dissipating, or that all things were so constituted a priori that they must perish. 19. Consider what people are when they eat, sleep, produce, play, etc., and then consider what they are when they are disrespectful or arrogant, or angry and scolded from their high position.And not so long ago, how many people they were slaves, what they were enslaved for, and what state they would enter after a while. 20. What the nature of the universe brings to everything is beneficial to them.When nature brings them, it is for them. 21. "The earth loves showers"; "Loves the divine ether".The universe loves to create whatever happens.Then I say to the universe, I love as you love.Doesn't it also say, "This or that thing likes (habits) to be produced"? 22. Either you live here, and you have accustomed yourself to it; or you want to leave, this is your own volition; or you want to die, and discharge your obligations.And outside of these things there is nothing.So, live happily. 23. Let this always be clear to you; this land is like any other land, and all things here are exactly the same as on a mountain, or by the sea, or wherever you will.For you will find that living within the walls of a city is like living in a shepherd's hut on a hill, as Plato said. 24. What is my dominance to me now?To what character am I shaping it now?For what purpose am I using it now?Does it lack understanding?Is it bohemian and has nothing to do with social life?Does it melt and mingle with poor flesh so as to tend to it to become one? 25. He who flees from his master is a fugitive, but now the master is the law, and he who breaks the law is a fugitive.He who laments, rages, or fears is also a fugitive, who is dissatisfied because some thing that was or is or will happen is appointed by the ruler of all things, and this ruler is the Law, who assigns to everyone what is suitable. .The man who laments, rages, or fears, then, is a fugitive. 26. A man lays a seed in a womb, and departs, and another principle takes care of it, acts upon it, and makes it a child.What a thing has come out of such a matter!Then the child eats food through the throat, and another principle in turn takes care of it, making perceptions and motions, and healthy life, strength, and other things; and how strange how many people grow up like this !Then observe the things made in this concealed way, and observe the power as we observe the power that moves things up and down, not with the eyes, of course, but without that being obscured. 27. Constantly think that all existing things have existed in the same way in the past, and think that they will also be the same in the future.Bring before your eyes all plays and stages of the same form, whether they be known from your experience or history.For example, the whole court of Hedrian, and the whole court of Antony, and the whole court of Philip, Alexander, and Chrysos; for all that was past is the drama we now see, with changed actors. 28. Imagine all those who lament or are dissatisfied with everything, struggling and screaming like a sacrificial pig.He who mourns silently on his bed the bondage of men, also like this pig, considers what happens when voluntary obedience is a quality given only to rational animals, while obedience is a quality imparted to all beings. inevitability. 29. On all occasions where you do something, stop and ask yourself separately; whether it is a dreadful thing because death deprives you of the opportunity to do it. 30. When you are angry at someone's mistake, immediately turn to yourself and think about whether you have made a similar mistake yourself, for example, thinking that money is a good thing, or happiness, a little fame, etc. are good things.Because by noticing these you will quickly forget your anger, and if you add this consideration: this person is forced, how could he not?Or, if you can, release yourself from oppression. 31. When you see Satron, a Socratic scholar, think of Eutyches or Simon, when you see Euphrates, think of Tropeophorus, and when you see Xeno Think of Crito or Severus when you look at Finn, and any other Caesar when you look back at yourself.In the case of each of them acts in a similar manner.Then let this thought arise in your mind: Where are all these people now?Nowhere to be found, no one knows.For by thinking constantly like this you will see man as dust and utter nothingness, especially if you also think that what once changes can never exist again in the infinite duration of time.And you, how long does your existence occupy?Why aren't you content to move through the moment in an orderly fashion?What events and timing are you avoiding for your event?Have all these things any other use than that of training the reason in scrutinizing and penetrating the nature of the things that occur in life?Hold on, then, till you shall make these things your own, as the stout stomach makes all food its own, as the fire makes the flame and light of everything thrown into it the same. 32. It is entirely within your power that no one can truthfully say that you are not simple or good, and that anyone who would think you lack such qualities is a liar.For who can stop you from being good and simple?Unless you become this kind of person, you can only decide not to live.Because if you are not such a person, reason will never allow you to survive. 33. What is the most reasonable thing to do or say about this matter (our life)?Whatever it is, do it or say it is within your power, don't make excuses for being held back.You don't stop mourning until your heart gets into a state where those who enjoy happiness are so proud, and you are in this state: do it according to the structure of man, for that which belongs and presents to you. for a man should enjoy it in the fact that it is within his power to act according to his own nature.Wherever he lives, this is within his power.And this power is not given to a cylinder that rolls here and there, nor to water, fire, and everything that is not governed by nature or irrational souls, for many things stop them and stand in their way.But the intellect and reason pass with ease all that is opposed to them, and that is what they are endowed with, and they will.Keep this convenience always before you, whereby reason will pass through all things with ease, like a shoot up, a stone down, a cylinder down a slope, and look no further.For all other obstacles either affect only the inanimate object, or only by the renunciation of opinion and reason themselves, can they oppress or do damage; become miserable.As in everything that has a structure, whatever damage may happen to them, the thing so affected is thereby made worse off, and in similar cases a man, so to speak, by rightly employing them, becomes Will get better and more commendable.Remember at last: That which does not injure the State can never injure the true citizen; that which does not injure the law (order) never injures the State; Nothing in it injures the law, so that which does not injure the law never injures the state or the citizens. 34. For those who have grasped the true principles, even the simplest proverbs are enough.Any common proverb would remind him to be free from sorrow and fear.For example, "leaves, some leaves that were scattered on the ground by the wind - and this is man." Your children are also leaves, those who seem to be worthy of praise and praise, or are cursed by the opposite, secretly condemned and scorned. The one who calls is also the leaf.Likewise, those who will gain fame and pass it on to the future are also leaves.For all these things, as the poet says, "come forth in the spring," and the wind blows them down; and the trees put forth new leaves in their place.All things have but a fleeting existence, and you avoid and pursue all things as if they were eternal.In a little while, you will close your eyes, and the one who went to your grave will soon be mourned. 35. Healthy eyes should see all visible things, not just want to see green things; because this desire is required by a pair of sick eyes.A sound sense of hearing and smell should also be willing to perceive all that can be heard and smelled.A sound stomach should treat all food as a mill treats all that it was designed to grind.So sound reason should be prepared for all that happens, and this statement: let my dear child live, let all praise me for everything, is like a pair of sick eyes looking for green things, or a pair of eyes looking for green things. Like rotten teeth on soft food. 36. No one will be so lucky that when he is dying, there will be no one who will feel relieved about his death.Assuming he was a good man, a wise man, wouldn't someone say in the end: Let us at last breathe free from this teacher, indeed, he was not hard on any of us, but I think he was silently condemn us. - That's what is said of a good man.And in our case, how many other reasons make many people wish to get rid of us.This is what you think of when you are dying, then, and you go away more contentedly by thinking this way: I am going away from a life in which even I worked so hard to profit My companions, praying and caring, wished me to go too, hoping perhaps to get a little benefit out of it.Why then should one cling to a longer earthly sojourn?Yet do not, for this reason, be unkind to them when they go away, but maintain your own character, friendly, loving, and gentle; on the other hand, do not act as if you were like people who die.As the poor soul is easily separated from the body, so should you be separated from men with whom nature has connected and united you.But now did she unravel the union?Well, I'm like separating from the same kind. In any case, I don't push and resist, but I am willing, because this is also a natural thing. 37. Whenever you encounter anyone doing something, try to get used to asking yourself: What is the purpose of this person doing this?But start with yourself, examine yourself first. 38. Remember, that which manipulates you is hidden within: this is the power of belief, this is life, and, if it may be called that, man.Never include in thinking of yourself the skin that surrounds you and those that cling to it.Because they are like an ax, the only difference is that they grow on the body.These parts are indeed no more useful than the weaver's shuttle, the writer's pen, and the shepherd's whip, since there is no principle that moves and conditions them.