Meditations XI.20
Thy soul and all the fiery part that is blended with thee, though by Nature ascensive, yet in submission to the system of the Universe are held fast here in thy compound personality. And the entire earthy part too in thee and the humid, although naturally descensive, are yet upraised and take up a station not their natural one. Thus indeed, we find the elements also in subjection to the Whole and, when set anywhere, remaining there under constraint until the signal sound for their release again therefrom.
Is it not then a paradox that the intelligent part alone of thee should be rebellious and quarrel with its station? Yet is no constraint laid upon it but only so much as is in accordance with its nature. Howbeit it does not comply and takes a contrary course. For every motion towards acts of injustice and licentiousness, towards anger and grief and fear, but betokens one who cuts himself adrift from Nature. Aye and when the ruling Reason in a man is vexed at anything that befalls, at that very moment it deserts its station.68 For it was not made for justice alone, but also for piety69 and the service of God. And in fact the latter are included under the idea of a true fellowship, and indeed are prior to the practice of justice.70
- 68.See xi. 9.
- 69.xii. 2. ὁσιότης = δικαιοσύνη πρὸς θεούς, see Stobaeus’s Eclogues ii. 104.
Hosiotēs, “piety”; dikaiosynē pros theous, “justice towards the gods.”
- 70.But compare xi. 10.