It is in thy power to live free from all compulsion in the greatest tranquillity of mind, even if all the world cry out against thee as much as they choose, and even if wild beasts tear in pieces the members of this kneaded matter which has grown around thee.
From his personal reflections, on the power of the mind to maintain tranquility amidst external adversity.
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But everything else, whether it is in the power of thy will or not, is only lifeless ashes and smoke.
But if it is easy to set little value on all these things, turn to that which remains, which is to follow reason and God.
There is one light of the sun, though it is interrupted by walls, mountains, and other things infinite.
And how small a part of the whole substance; and how small a part of the universal soul; and on what a small clod of the whole earth thou creepest!
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