24.  Alexander the Macedonian and his groom by death were brought to the same state; for either they were received among the same seminal principles of the universe, or they were alike dispersed among the atoms.

25.  Consider how many things in the same indivisible time take place in each of us,—­things which concern the body and things which concern the soul:  and so thou wilt not wonder if many more things, or rather all things which come into existence in that which is the one and all, which we call Cosmos, exist in it at the same time.

26.  If any man should propose to thee the question, how the name Antoninus is written, wouldst thou with a straining of the voice utter each letter?  What then if they grow angry, wilt thou be angry too?  Wilt thou not go on with composure and number every letter?  Just so then in this life also remember that every duty is made up of certain parts.  These it is thy duty to observe, and without being disturbed or showing anger towards those who are angry with thee, to go on thy way and finish that which is set before thee.

27.  How cruel it is not to allow men to strive After the things which appear to them to be suitable to their nature and profitable!  And yet in a manner thou dost not allow them to do this, when thou art vexed because they do wrong.  For they are certainly moved towards things because they suppose them to be suitable to their nature and profitable to them.  But it is not so.  Teach them then, and show them without being angry.

28.  Death is a cessation of the impressions through the senses, and of the pulling of the strings which move the appetites, and of the discursive movements of the thoughts, and of the service to the flesh (ii. 12).

29.  It is a shame for the soul to be first to give way in this life, when thy body does not give way.

30.  Take care that thou art not made into a Caesar, that thou art not dyed with this dye; for such things happen.  Keep thyself then simple, good, pure, serious, free from affectation, a friend of justice, a worshipper of the gods, kind, affectionate, strenuous in all proper acts.  Strive to continue to be such as philosophy wished to make thee.  Reverence the gods, and help men.  Short is life.  There is only one fruit of this terrene life—­a pious disposition and social acts.  Do everything as a disciple of Antoninus.  Remember his constancy in every act which was conformable to reason, and his evenness in all things, and his piety, and the serenity of his countenance, and his sweetness, and his disregard of empty fame, and his efforts to understand things; and how he would never let anything pass without having first most carefully examined it and clearly understood it; and how he bore with those who blamed him unjustly without blaming them in return; how he did nothing in a hurry; and how he listened not to calumnies, and how exact an examiner of manners and actions he was; and not given to reproach people,