When thou hast been compelled by circumstances to be disturbed in a manner, quickly return to thyself, and do not continue out of tune longer than the compulsion lasts; for thou wilt have more mastery over the harmony by continually recurring to it.
Marcus Aurelius advises that when external events cause emotional disturbance, one should swiftly regain inner composure and not prolong the state of disharmony.
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More from Marcus Aurelius
How small a part of the boundless and unfathomable time is assigned to every man, for it is very soon swallowed up in the eternal!
What remains, except to enjoy life by joining one good thing to another so as not to leave even the smallest intervals between?
Reflecting on all this, consider nothing to be great, except to act as thy nature leads thee, and to endure that which the common nature brings.
But intellect in a peculiar manner tends to that which is of the same kin, and combines with it, and the feeling for communion is not interrupted.
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