Paragraphs with First Lines

HIS FIRST BOOK

I. Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to

II. Of him that brought me up, not to be fondly addicted to either of

III. Of Diognetus, not to busy myself about vain things, and not easily

IV. To Rusticus I am beholding, that I first entered into the conceit

V. From Apollonius, true liberty, and unvariable steadfastness, and not

VI. Of Sextus, mildness and the pattern of a family governed with

VII. From Alexander the Grammarian, to be un-reprovable myself, and not

VIII. Of Fronto, to how much envy and fraud and hypocrisy the state of a

IX. Of Alexander the Platonic, not often nor without great necessity to

X. Of Catulus, not to contemn any friend's expostulation, though unjust,

XI. From my brother Severus, to be kind and loving to all them of my

XII. From Claudius Maximus, in all things to endeavour to have power

XIII. In my father, I observed his meekness; his constancy without

XIV. From the gods I received that I had good grandfathers, and parents,

XV. In the country of the Quadi at Granua, these. Betimes in the morning

XVI. Whatsoever I am, is either flesh, or life, or that which we

XVII. Whatsoever proceeds from the gods immediately, that any man will

THE SECOND BOOK

I. Remember how long thou hast already put off these things, and how

II. Let it be thy earnest and incessant care as a Roman and a man to

III. Do, soul, do; abuse and contemn thyself; yet a while and the time

IV. Why should any of these things that happen externally, so much

V. For not observing the state of another man's soul, scarce was ever

VI. These things thou must always have in mind: What is the nature

VII. Theophrastus, where he compares sin with sin (as after a vulgar

VIII. Whatsoever thou dost affect, whatsoever thou dost project, so do,

IX. Consider how quickly all things are dissolved and resolved: the

X. It is the part of a man endowed with a good understanding faculty, to

XI. Consider with thyself how man, and by what part of his, is joined

XII. If thou shouldst live three thousand, or as many as ten thousands

XIII. Remember that all is but opinion and conceit, for those things

XIV. A man's soul doth wrong and disrespect itself first and especially,

XV. The time of a man's life is as a point; the substance of it ever

THE THIRD BOOK

I. A man must not only consider how daily his life wasteth and

II. This also thou must observe, that whatsoever it is that naturally

III. Hippocrates having cured many sicknesses, fell sick himself and

IV. Spend not the remnant of thy days in thoughts and fancies concerning

V. Do nothing against thy will, nor contrary to the community, nor

VI. To be cheerful, and to stand in no need, either of other men's help

VII. If thou shalt find anything in this mortal life better than

VIII. Never esteem of anything as profitable, which shall ever constrain

IX. In the mind that is once truly disciplined and purged, thou canst

X. Use thine opinative faculty with all honour and respect, for in

XI. To these ever-present helps and mementoes, let one more be added,

XII. What is this, that now my fancy is set upon? of what things doth

XIII. If thou shalt intend that which is present, following the rule of

XIV. As physicians and chirurgeons have always their instruments ready

XV. Be not deceived; for thou shalt never live to read thy moral

XVI. To steal, to sow, to buy, to be at rest, to see what is to be done

XVII. To be capable of fancies and imaginations, is common to man and

THE FOURTH BOOK

I. That inward mistress part of man if it be in its own true natural

II. Let nothing be done rashly, and at random, but all things according

III. They seek for themselves private retiring

IV. If to understand and to be reasonable be common unto all men, then

V. As generation is, so also death, a secret of nature's wisdom: a

VI. Such and such things, from such and such causes, must of necessity

VII. Let opinion be taken away, and no man will think himself wronged.

VIII. Whatsoever doth happen in the world, doth happen justly, and so if

IX. Conceit no such things, as he that wrongeth thee conceiveth,

X. These two rules, thou must have always in a readiness. First, do

XI. Hast thou reason? I have. Why then makest thou not use of it? For if

XII. As a part hitherto thou hast had a particular subsistence: and now

XIII. Within ten days, if so happen, thou shalt be esteemed a god of

XIV. Not as though thou hadst thousands of years to live. Death hangs

XV. Now much time and leisure doth he gain, who is not curious to know

XVI. He who is greedy of credit and reputation after his death, doth

XVII. If so be that the souls remain after death (say they that will not

XVIII. Not to wander out of the way, but upon every motion and desire,

XIX. Whatsoever is expedient unto thee, O World, is expedient unto me;

XX. They will say commonly, Meddle not with many things, if thou wilt

XXI. Try also how a good man's life; (of one, who is well pleased with

XXII. Either this world is a kosmoz or comely piece, because all

XXIII. A black or malign disposition, an effeminate disposition; an

XXIV. He is a true fugitive, that flies from reason, by which men are

XXV. There is, who without so much as a coat; and there is, who without

XXVI. What art and profession soever thou hast learned, endeavour to

XXVII. Consider in my mind, for example's sake, the times of Vespasian:

XXVIII. Those words which once were common and ordinary, are now become

XXIX. Whatsoever is now present, and from day to day hath its existence;

XXX. Thou art now ready to die, and yet hast thou not attained to

XXXI. Behold and observe, what is the state of their rational part; and

XXXII. In another man's mind and understanding thy evil Cannot subsist,

XXXIII. Ever consider and think upon the world as being but one living

XXXIV. What art thou, that better and divine part excepted, but as

XXXV. To suffer change can be no hurt; as no benefit it is, by change to

XXXVI. Whatsoever doth happen in the world, is, in the course of nature,

XXXVII. Let that of Heraclitus never be out of thy mind, that the death

XXXVIII. Even as if any of the gods should tell thee, Thou shalt

XXXIX. Let it be thy perpetual meditation, how many physicians who

XL. Thou must be like a promontory of the sea, against which though

XLI. Oh, wretched I, to whom this mischance is happened! nay, happy I,

XLII. It is but an ordinary coarse one, yet it is a good effectual

XLIII. Let thy course ever be the most compendious way. The most

THE FIFTH BOOK

I. In the morning when thou findest thyself unwilling to rise, consider

II. How easy a thing is it for a man to put off from him all turbulent

III. Think thyself fit and worthy to speak, or to do anything that is

IV. I continue my course by actions according to nature, until I

V. No man can admire thee for thy sharp acute language, such is thy

VI. Such there be, who when they have done a good turn to any, are ready

VII. The form of the Athenians' prayer did run thus: 'O rain, rain, good

VIII. As we say commonly, The physician hath prescribed unto this man,

IX. Be not discontented, be not disheartened, be not out of hope, if

X. Thou must comfort thyself in the expectation of thy natural

XI. What is the use that now at this present I make of my soul? Thus

XII. What those things are in themselves, which by the greatest part are

XIII. All that I consist of, is either form or matter. No corruption can

XIV. Reason, and rational power, are faculties which content themselves

XV. Such as thy thoughts and ordinary cogitations are, such will thy

XVI. To desire things impossible is the part of a mad man. But it is a

XVII. After one consideration, man is nearest unto us; as we are bound

XVIII. Honour that which is chiefest and most powerful in the world, and

XIX. That which doth not hurt the city itself; cannot hurt any citizen.

XX. Let not that chief commanding part of thy soul be ever subject to

XXI. To live with the Gods. He liveth with the Gods, who at all times

XXII. Be not angry neither with him whose breath, neither with him whose

XXIII. 'Where there shall neither roarer be, nor harlot.' Why so? As

XXIV. That rational essence by which the universe is governed, is for

XXV. How hast thou carried thyself hitherto towards the Gods? towards

XXVI. Why should imprudent unlearned souls trouble that which is

XXVII. Within a very little while, thou wilt be either ashes, or a

XXVIII. Thou mayest always speed, if thou wilt but make choice of the

XXIX. If this neither be my wicked act, nor an act anyways depending

XXX. Let death surprise rue when it will, and where it will, I may be a

THE SIXTH BOOK

I. The matter itself, of which the universe doth consist, is of itself

II. Be it all one unto thee, whether half frozen or well warm; whether

III. Look in, let not either the proper quality, or the true worth of

IV. All substances come soon to their change, and either they shall

V. The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.

VI. Let this be thy only joy, and thy only comfort, from one sociable

VII. The rational commanding part, as it alone can stir up and turn

VIII. According to the nature of the universe all things particular are

IX. Whensoever by some present hard occurrences thou art constrained to

X. If it were that thou hadst at one time both a stepmother, and

XI. How marvellous useful it is for a man to represent unto himself

XII. See what Crates pronounceth concerning Xenocrates himself.

XIII. Those things which the common sort of people do admire, are most

XIV. Some things hasten to be, and others to be no more. And even

XV. Not vegetative spiration, it is not surely (which plants have) that

XVI. Under, above, and about, are the motions of the elements; but

XVII. Who can choose but wonder at them? They will not speak well of

XVIII. Do not ever conceive anything impossible to man, which by thee

XIX. Suppose that at the palestra somebody hath all to-torn thee with

XX. If anybody shall reprove me, and shall make it apparent unto me,

XXI. I for my part will do what belongs unto me; as for other things,

XXII. Alexander of Macedon, and he that dressed his mules, when once

XXIII Consider how many different things, whether they concern our

XXIV. if any should put this question unto thee, how this word Antoninus

XXV. Is it not a cruel thing to forbid men to affect those things, which

XXVI. Death is a cessation from the impression of the senses, the

XXVII. If in this kind of life thy body be able to hold out, it is a

XXVIII. Do all things as becometh the disciple of Antoninus Pius.

XXIX. Stir up thy mind, and recall thy wits again from thy natural

XXX. I consist of body and soul. Unto my body all things are

XXXI. As long as the foot doth that which belongeth unto it to do, and

XXXII. Dost thou not see, how even those that profess mechanic arts,

XXXIII. Asia, Europe; what are they, but as corners of the whole world;

XXXIV He that seeth the things that are now, hath Seen all that either

XXXV. Fit and accommodate thyself to that estate and to those

XXXVI. What things soever are not within the proper power and

XXXVII. We all work to one effect, some willingly, and with a rational

XXXVIII. Doth either the sun take upon him to do that which belongs to

XXXIX. If so be that the Gods have deliberated in particular of those

XL. Whatsoever in any kind doth happen to any one, is expedient to the

XLI. As the ordinary shows of the theatre and of other such places,

XLII. Let the several deaths of men of all sorts, and of all sorts of

XLIII. When thou wilt comfort and cheer thyself, call to mind the

XLIV. Dost thou grieve that thou dost weigh but so many pounds, and not

XLV. Let us do our best endeavours to persuade them; but however, if

XLVI. The ambitious supposeth another man's act, praise and applause, to

XLVII. It is in thy power absolutely to exclude all manner of conceit

XLVIII. Use thyself when any man speaks unto thee, so to hearken unto

XLIX. That which is not good for the bee-hive, cannot be good for the

L. Will either passengers, or patients, find fault and complain, either

LI. How many of them who came into the world at the same time when I

LII. To them that are sick of the jaundice, honey seems bitter; and to

LIII. No man can hinder thee to live as thy nature doth require. Nothing

LIV. What manner of men they be whom they seek to please, and what to

THE SEVENTH BOOK

I. What is wickedness? It is that which many time and often thou hast

II. What fear is there that thy dogmata, or philosophical resolutions

III. That which most men would think themselves most happy for, and

IV. Word after word, every one by itself, must the things that are

V. Is my reason, and understanding sufficient for this, or no? If it be

VI. Let not things future trouble thee. For if necessity so require that

VII. Whatsoever is material, doth soon vanish away into the common

VIII. To a reasonable creature, the same action is both according

IX. Straight of itself, not made straight.

X. As several members in one body united, so are reasonable creatures

XI. Of things that are external, happen what will to that which can

XII. Whatsoever any man either doth or saith, thou must be good; not for

XIII. This may ever be my comfort and security: my understanding, that

XIV. What is rv&nfLovia, or happiness: but a7~o~ &d~wv, or, a good

XV. Is any man so foolish as to fear change, to which all things that

XVI. Through the substance of the universe, as through a torrent pass

XVII. The nature of the universe, of the common substance of all things

XVIII. An angry countenance is much against nature, and it is oftentimes

XIX. Whensoever any man doth trespass against other, presently consider

XX. Fancy not to thyself things future, as though they were present

XXI. Wipe off all opinion stay the force and violence of unreasonable

XXII. All things (saith he) are by certain order and appointment. And

XXIII. Out of Plato. 'He then whose mind is endowed with true

XXIV. Out of Antisthenes. 'It is a princely thing to do well, and to be

XXV. Out of several poets and comics. 'It will but little avail thee,

XXVI. Out of Plato. 'My answer, full of justice and equity, should be

XXVII. To look back upon things of former ages, as upon the manifold

XXVIII. He hath a stronger body, and is a better wrestler than I. What

XXIX. Where the matter may be effected agreeably to that reason, which

XXX. Look not about upon other men's minds and understandings; but look

XXXI. As one who had lived, and were now to die by right, whatsoever is

XXXII. Thou must use thyself also to keep thy body fixed and steady;

XXXIII. The art of true living in this world is more like a wrestler's,

XXXIV. Thou must continually ponder and consider with thyself, what

XXXV. What pain soever thou art in, let this presently come to thy mind,

XXXVI. Take heed lest at any time thou stand so affected, though towards

XXXVII. How know we whether Socrates were so eminent indeed, and of so

XXXVIII. For it is a thing very possible, that a man should be a very

XXXIX. Free from all compulsion in all cheerfulness and alacrity thou

XL. Then hath a man attained to the estate of perfection in his life and

XLI. Can the Gods, who are immortal, for the continuance of so many ages

XLII. What object soever, our reasonable and sociable faculty doth meet

XLIII. When thou hast done well, and another is benefited by thy action,

XLIV. The nature of the universe did once certainly before it was

THE EIGHTH BOOK

I. This also, among other things, may serve to keep thee from vainglory;

II. Upon every action that thou art about, put this question to thyself;

III. Alexander, Caius, Pompeius; what are these to Diogenes, Heraclitus,

IV. What they have done, they will still do, although thou shouldst hang

V. That which the nature of the universe doth busy herself about, is;

VI. Every particular nature hath content, when in its own proper course

VII. Thou hast no time nor opportunity to read. What then? Hast thou

VIII. Forbear henceforth to complain of the trouble of a courtly life,

IX. Repentance is an inward and self-reprehension for the neglect or

X. This, what is it in itself, and by itself, according to its proper

XI. When thou art hard to be stirred up and awaked out of thy sleep,

XII. As every fancy and imagination presents itself unto thee, consider

XIII. At thy first encounter with any one, say presently to thyself:

XIV. Remember, that to change thy mind upon occasion, and to follow him

XV. If it were thine act and in thine own power, wouldest thou do

XVI. Whatsoever dieth and falleth, however and wheresoever it die

XVII. Whatsoever is, was made for something: as a horse, a vine. Why

XVIII. Nature hath its end as well in the end and final consummation of

XIX. As one that tosseth up a ball. And what is a ball the better, if