On the recordJanuary 1, 175
One is that things do not touch the soul, for they are external and remain immovable; but our perturbations come only from the opinion which is within.
Said by
Marcus Aurelius
Source
gutenberg.orgOne is that things do not touch the soul, for they are external and remain immovable; but our perturbations come only from the opinion which is within.
Marcus Aurelius states a fundamental Stoic principle: external events do not disturb the soul; rather, inner opinions are the source of distress.
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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!
What remains, except to enjoy life by joining one good thing to another so as not to leave even the smallest intervals between?
But everything else, whether it is in the power of thy will or not, is only lifeless ashes and smoke.