Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00493)

The soul of man does violence to itself, first of all, when it
becomes an abscess and, as it were, a tumor on the universe, so far
as it can.  For to be vexed at anything which happens is a
separation of ourselves from nature, in some part of which the
natures of all other things are contained.  In the next place, the
soul does violence to itself when it turns away from any man, or
even moves toward him with the intention of injuring, such as are
the souls of those who are angry.  In the third place, the soul
does violence to itself when it is overpowered by pleasure or pain.
Fourthly, when it plays a part, and does or says anything
insincerely and untruly.  Fifthly, when it allows any act of its
own and any movement to be without an aim, and does anything
thoughtlessly and without considering what it is, it being right
that even the smallest things be done with reference to an end; and
the end of rational animals is to follow the reason and the law of
the most ancient city and polity.

     Marcus Aurelius MEDITATIONS II, 16
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--
<> Nicholas Weeks <> am455@lafn.org <> Los Angeles
	"Men must learn to love the truth before they thoroughly believe it."
		Blavatsky