From Marcus Aurelius' &dDMeditations&d@ (translated by Maxwell Staniforth) ----------------------------------------------------------------- You are not compelled to form any opinion about this matter before you, nor to disturb your peace of mind at all. Things in themselves have no power to extort a verdict from you. Accustom yourself to give careful attention to what others are saying, and try your best to enter into the mind of the speaker. I do that which it is my duty to do. Nothing else distracts me; for it will be either something that is inanimate and irrational, or somebody who is misled and ignorant of the way. Look beneath the surface: never let a thing's intrinsic quality or worth escape you. Adapt yourself to the environment in which your lot has been cast, and show true love to the fellow-mortals with whom destiny has surrounded you. Reason, the controller, has a perfect understanding of the conditions, the purpose, and the materials of its work. When you would have a cordial for your spirits, think of the good qualities of your friends: this one's capability, that one's self-effacement, another's generosity, and so forth. There is no surer remedy for dejection than to see examples of the different virtues displayed in the characters of those around us, exhibiting themselves as plenteously as can be. Wherefore keep them ever before you. If you are doing what is right, never mind whether you are freezing with cold or beside a good fire; heavy-eyed, or fresh from a sound sleep; reviled or applauded; in the act of dying, or about some other piece of business. Even dying is part of the business of life; and there too no more is required of us than "to see the moment's work well done." -----------------------------------------------------------------