These things thou must always have in mind: What is the nature of the universe, and what is mine—in particular
I thought our mind were to be clear of thought or is to be a single focus on this thought?
16 Matching Annotations
- Oct 2016
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A strong vibe of staying in tune with nature. Again getting at how nature is defined will be necessary for understanding.
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Give thyself leisure to learn some good thing, and cease roving and wandering to and fro. Thou must also take heed of another kind of wandering, for they are idle in their actions, who toil and labour in this life, and have no certain scope to which to direct all their motions, and desires.
An important critique for our attention economuy
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from whom, as a channel from the spring, thou thyself didst flow: and that there is but a certain limit of time appointed unto thee
Must we accept fate? Can it not be shaped by our actions?
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As for those things that are commonly said to happen by fortune, even those must be conceived to have dependence from nature, or from that first and general connection, and concatenation of all those things, which more apparently by the divine providence are administered and brought to pass. All things flow from thence: and whatsoever it is that is, is both necessary, and conducing to the whole (part of which thou art), and whatsoever it is that is requisite and necessary for the preservation of the general, must of necessity for every particular nature, be good and behoveful.
II need to think on this some more. Seems to be a key consideration. there free will in this model or is man's will as apart of the whole simply another step in the same cosmic dance.
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And as for thy life, consider what it is; a wind; not one constant wind neither, but every moment of an hour let out, and sucked in again
The inevitability of our monir existence on this planet. It is a little ironic to read something over 2,00 years old writing that our lives our mere winds. I guess some blow harder than others.
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ndeavour to have power of myself
To control desires, squash passions, and eat sparsely one must have control over the physical as well as the mental body.
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always to hope the best; and to be confident that my friends love me
Interesting so is hope not considered a kind of passion,. What is the rationality of hope?
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freely and heartily to speak well of all my masters upon any occasion
Why not just deserved occasions? Is it best to only criticize laterally?
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very learned, and yet making little show.
Country Dumb?
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a purpose to live according to nature
Looking then for a definition of nature. Will it be elemental?
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myself with a spare die
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whether in the sharpest pains, or after the loss of a child, or in long diseases, to be still the same man
Is there rejection of pain and passion a worthy endeavor? What is gained by losing or having?
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anything to do, to do it myself rather than by others
Western individualism.
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two great factions of the coursers in the circus, called Prasini, and Veneti
Need a better translation for these but seeing a lot of dichotomies. opposite forces that must be avoided
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fame and memory of him that begot me I have learned both shamefastness and manlike behaviour
Interesting connotations here in terms of refraining from passion and the rise of fame. It is hard to imagine accomplishing noteirity without passion in a subject.
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