Meditations VIII.51

Be not dilatory in doing, nor confused in conversation, nor vague in thought; let not thy soul be wholly concentred in itself nor uncontrollably agitated; leave thyself leisure in thy life. *

They kill us, they cut us limb from limb, they hunt us with execrations!*⁵⁶ How does that prevent thy mind being still pure, sane, sober, just? Imagine a man to stand by a crystal-clear spring of sweet water, and to rail at it; yet it fails not to bubble up with wholesome water. Throw in mud or even filth and it will quickly winnow them away and purge itself of them and take never a stain. How then possess thyself of a living fountain and no mere well?⁵⁷ By guiding thyself carefully every hour into freedom with kindliness, simplicity, and modesty.

• 56.Marcus must be thinking of the Christians, compare vii. 68. See Appendix.
• 57.St. John, iv. 14-16.