《沉思录·卷六·宇宙即变化》第10条
The universe is either a confusion, and a mutual involution of things, and a dispersion, or it is unity and order and providence. If then it is the former, why do I desire to tarry in a fortuitous combination of things and such a disorder? and why do I care about anything else than how I shall at last become earth? and why am I disturbed, for the dispersion of my elements will happen whatever I do? But if the other supposition is true, I venerate, and I am firm, and I trust in him who governs (iv. 27).
注释摘要
奥勒留在此处做了一个直截了当的二选一推演。他把我们对整个世界的根本判断逼进两条路：宇宙要么是一场没有方向、事物彼此缠绕随即消散的混沌，要么是一个由内在统一、秩序与神意牢牢掌管的整体。他分别追问：假如是前者，一切不过是偶然的聚集与瓦解，那我为什么还要留恋这种随机组合中的停留，为什么还要对除最终化归尘土之外的任何事耿耿于怀？反正无论我怎么行动，构成我的那些微粒…