it is; air, and not always the
same, but every moment sent out and again sucked in. The third, then, is
the ruling part; consider thus: Thou art an old man; no longer let this
be a slave, no longer be pulled by the strings like a puppet to unsocial
movements, no longer be either dissatisfied with thy present lot, or
shrink from the future.

3. All that is from the gods is full of providence. That which is from
fortune is not separated from nature or without an interweaving and
involution with the things which are ordered by providence. From thence
all things flow; and there is besides necessity, and that which is for
the advantage of the whole universe, of which thou art a part. But that
is good for every part of nature which the nature of the whole brings,
and what serves to maintain this nature. Now the universe is preserved,
as by the changes of the elements so by the changes of things compounded
of the elements. Let these principles be enough for thee; let them
always be fixed opinions. But cast away the thirst after books, that
thou mayest not die murmuring, but cheerfully, truly, and from thy heart
thankful to the gods.

4. Remember how long thou hast been putting off these things, and how
often thou hast received an opportunity from the gods, and yet dost not
use it. Thou must now at last perceive of what universe thou art a
part, and of what administrator of the universe thy existence is an
efflux, and that a limit of time is fixed for thee, which if thou dost
not use for clearing away the clouds from thy mind, it will go and thou
wilt go, and it will never return.

5. Every moment think steadily as a Roman and a man to do what thou hast
in hand with perfect and simple dignity, and feeling of affection, and
freedom, and justice, and to give thyself relief from all other
thoughts. And thou wilt give thyself relief if thou doest every act of
thy life as if it were the last, laying aside all carelessness and
passionate aversion from the commands of reason, and all hypocrisy, and
self-love, and discontent with the portion which has been given to thee.
Thou seest how few the things are, the which if a man lays hold of, he
is able to live a life which flows in quiet, and is like the existence
of the gods; for the gods on their part will require nothing more from
him who observes these things.

6. Do wrong[A] to thyself, do wrong to thyself, my soul; but thou wilt
no longer have the opportunity of honoring thyself.