《沉思录·卷五·天未亮就起身》第31条
How hast thou behaved hitherto to the gods, thy parents, brethren, children, teachers, to those who looked after thy infancy, to thy friends, kinsfolk, to thy slaves? Consider if thou hast hitherto behaved to all in such a way that this may be said of thee,-- And call to recollection both how many things thou hast passed through, and how many things thou hast been able to endure, and that the history of thy life is now complete and thy service is ended; and how many beautiful things thou hast seen; and how many pleasures and pains thou hast despised; and how many things called honorable thou hast spurned; and to how many ill-minded folks thou hast shown a kind disposition.
注释摘要
这整段话是一次彻底的自我检视，而且是突然从平日的抽象反思落回那个最具体的人际网络里。奥勒留不是要对自己下肯定或否定的道德判决，而是在做斯多葛派所说的“省察”——这个词的情感分量比他平时写的“观察”要重得多：他要看看自己活在这个由神人关系、血缘关系、主仆关系编织成的世界里，到底做过什么样的人。 先从问句的结构看，他把对象排得很清楚：先是诸神、父母、兄弟、子女…