《沉思录·卷四·退隐于自己的心》第1条
That which rules within, when it is according to nature, is so affected with respect to the events which happened, that it always easily adapts itself to that which is possible and is presented to it. For it requires no definite material, but it moves towards its purpose, under certain conditions, however; and it makes a material for itself out of that which opposes it, as fire lays hold of what falls into it, by which a small light would have been extinguished; but when the fire is strong, it soon appropriates to itself the matter which is heaped on it, and consumes it, and rises higher by means of this very material.
注释摘要
这条札记讲的是，当人里面那个主宰的能力按照本性运作时，面对一切发生的事情，它呈现出来的状态是——总是轻而易举地适应那些可能的、摆在眼前的事。之所以能这样，是因为它不需要特定的材料来实现自己的目的。它的确有目的，有一个方向，但达成这个目的的条件并不是僵死的。阻碍它的东西不但不能拦住它，反而被它拿来做成了自己的材料。奥勒留用火的比喻说明这一点：一点点小火苗，如…