《沉思录·卷三·写于卡尔农图姆》第2条
We ought to observe also that even the things which follow after the things which are produced according to nature contain something pleasing and attractive. For instance, when bread is baked some parts are split at the surface, and these parts which thus open, and have a certain fashion contrary to the purpose of the baker's art, are beautiful in a manner, and in a peculiar way excite a desire for eating. And again, figs, when they are quite ripe, gape open; and in the ripe olives the very circumstance of their being near to rottenness adds a peculiar beauty to the fruit. And the ears of corn bending down, and the lion's eyebrows, and the foam which flows from the mouth of wild boars, and many other things,--though they are far from being beautiful if a man should examine them severally,--still, because they are consequent upon the things which are formed by nature, help to adorn them, and they please the mind; so that if a man should have a feeling and deeper insight with respect to the things which are produced in the universe, there is hardly one of those which follow by way of consequence which will not seem to him to be in a manner disposed so as to give pleasure. And so he will see even the real gaping jaws of wild beasts with no less pleasure than those which painters and sculptors show by imitation; and in an old woman and an old man he will be able to see a certain maturity and comeliness; and the attractive loveliness of young persons he will be able to look on with chaste eyes; and many such things will present themselves, not pleasing to every man, but to him only who has become truly familiar with Nature and her works.
注释摘要
这段文字展示的是斯多葛哲学里一种极其精微的感知训练，它试图让你直面一个困惑：那些歪斜的、残破的、乃至腐坏的东西里，有没有美可言？奥勒留举的例子都看似不起眼——面包皮裂开、无花果熟得绽口、橄榄将近腐烂时的斑点，或是垂下的麦穗、野猪口边的白沫。他的推理步骤是：这些东西如果单独拎出来，用工匠或常人的标准去审视，多半会觉得不美，因为面包师傅并不想让面包裂口，腐烂的…