Do all things as a disciple of [the emperor] Antoninus. Think of his constancy in every act rationally undertaken, his invariable equability, his piety, his serenity of countenance, his sweetness of disposition, his contempt for the bubble of fame, and his zeal for getting a true grasp of affairs … how he put up with those who found fault with him unfairly, finding no fault with them in return; how he was never in a hurry; how he gave no ear to slander … what little sufficed him whether for lodging or bed, dress, food, or attendance; how fond he was of work … how he would remain the whole day at the same occupation … how loyal he was to his friends and always the same … and his pleasure when anyone pointed out something better; and how god-fearing he was and yet not given to superstition. Take heed to all this, that thy last hour come upon thee as much at peace with thy conscience as he was.
Meditations (6:30) – in praise of Antoninus Pius
– in praise of Antoninus Pius
… let it be postulated first that I am a part of the whole Universe controlled by Nature; secondly, that I stand in some intimate connection with other kindred parts … and in so far as I am in intimate connection with the parts that are akin to myself, I shall be guilty of no unsocial act, but I shall devote my attention rather to the parts that are akin to myself, and direct every impulse of mine to the common interest and withhold from it the reverse of this.
Meditations (10:6), p. 265