《沉思录·卷六·宇宙即变化》第26条
If any man should propose to thee the question, how the name Antoninus is written, wouldst thou with a straining of the voice utter each letter? What then if they grow angry, wilt thou be angry too? Wilt thou not go on with composure and number every letter? Just so then in this life also remember that every duty is made up of certain parts. These it is thy duty to observe, and without being disturbed or showing anger towards those who are angry with thee, to go on thy way and finish that which is set before thee.
注释摘要
奥勒留在这里用了一个极为日常的例子来拆解一个深刻的心理机制。假设有人问你，Antoninus这个名字怎么拼写，你会不会因为对方态度不好，就咬牙切齿地、带着怒气把每个字母吼出来？显然不会。你只会平静地、一个字母一个字母地念完。这个看似简单的比方，恰恰揭示了斯多葛派行动伦理的核心结构。在他们看来，任何一件符合本分之事，无论大小，都由一系列具体的、客观的步骤构成…