Meditations - 04

If we live longer, can we be sure our mind will still be

up to understanding the world—to the contemplation冥思 that aims 

at divine and human knowledge? 

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But getting the

most out of ourselves, calculating where our duty lies, analyzing what we

hear and see, deciding whether it’s time to call it quits—all the things you

need a healthy mind for . . . all those are gone.

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So we need to hurry.

Not just because we move daily closer to death but also because our

understanding—our grasp★领会 of the world—may be gone before we get there.

Don’t waste the rest of your time here worrying about other people—

unless it affects the common good. 

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It will keep you from doing anything

useful. You’ll be too preoccupied with what so-and-so is doing, and why,

and what they’re saying, and what they’re thinking, and what they’re up to,

and all the other things that throw you off and keep you from focusing on

your own mind.

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★★★

You need to avoid certain things in your train of thought: everything

random, everything irrelevant. And certainly everything self-important or

malicious恶意的. You need to get used to winnowing筛选 your thoughts, so that 

if someone says, “What are you thinking about?” you can respond at once

(and truthfully) that you are thinking this or thinking that.

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And it would be obvious at once from your answer that your 

thoughts were straightforward and considerate ones—the thoughts 

of an unselfish person, one unconcerned with pleasure and  with 

sensual indulgence generally, with squabbling(为小事)争论, with 

slander诽谤 and envy, or anything else you’d be ashamed to be caught 

thinking.

-★★

With what leaves us dyed indelibly by justice, welcoming wholeheartedly 

whatever comes—whatever we’re assigned—not worrying too often, or 

with any selfish motive, about what other people say. Or do, or

think.

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He does only what is his to do, and considers constantly what the 

world has in store for him—doing his best, and trusting that all 

is for the best. ★For we carry our fate with us—and it carries us.

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We should listen only to those whose lives conform★★符合/遵照 to

nature. 

How to act:

Never under compulsion, out of selfishness, without 

forethought事先的考虑,with misgivings.

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Don’t gussy粉饰 up your thoughts.

No surplus过剩的 words or unnecessary actions.

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Let the spirit in you represent a man, an adult, a citizen, a Roman, a

ruler. Taking up his post like a soldier and patiently awaiting his recall

from life. Needing no oath誓言 or witness.

Cheerfulness. Without requiring other people’s help. Or serenity平静

supplied by others.

To stand up straight—not straightened.