Meditations VI.30
See thou be not Caesarified, nor take that dye,34 for there is the possibility. So keep thyself a simple and good man, uncorrupt, dignified, plain, a friend of justice, god-fearing, gracious, affectionate, manful in doing thy duty. Strive to be always such as Philosophy minded to make thee. Revere the Gods, save mankind. Life is short. This only is the harvest of earthly existence, a righteous disposition and social acts.
Do all things as a disciple of Antoninus.35 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 grip of affairs. How he would never on any account dismiss a thing until he had first thoroughly scrutinized and clearly conceived it; 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,36 and with what nicety he tested dispositions and acts; was no imputer of blame, and no craven, not a suspicious man, nor a sophist; what little sufficed him whether for lodging or bed, dress, food or attendance; how fond he was of work, and how long-suffering; how he would remain the whole day at the same occupation,37 owing to his spare diet38 not even requiring to relieve nature except at the customary time; and how loyal he was to his friends and always the same; and his forbearance towards those who openly opposed his views, and his pleasure when anyone pointed out something better39; 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.
- 34.There was also a “philosophic dye”; see Lucian’s The Double Indictment 8.
Marcus’s verb, apokaisarōthēis, formed from Kaisar, is rendered by Haines “be Caesarified”; the next verb, baphēis, “be dyed,” continues the image. The Double Indictment is Lucian’s comic trial in which Rhetoric and Dialogue each bring charges against “the Syrian,” Lucian himself.
- 35.Compare i. 16 throughout.
- 36.See i. 5.
- 37.Or, in the same place.
- 38.Compare i. 3.
- 39.See vi. 21; viii. 16.