《沉思录·卷六·宇宙即变化》第42条
We are all working together to one end, some with knowledge and design, and others without knowing what they do; as men also when they are asleep, of whom it is Heraclitus, I think, who says that they are laborers and co-operators in the things which take place in the universe. But men co-operate after different fashions: and even those co-operate abundantly, who find fault with what happens and those who try to oppose it and to hinder it; for the universe had need even of such men as these. It remains then for thee to understand among what kind of workmen thou placest thyself; for he who rules all things will certainly make a right use of thee, and he will receive thee among some part of the co-operators and of those whose labors conduce to one end. But be not thou such a part as the mean and ridiculous verse in the play, which Chrysippus speaks of.
注释摘要
这一段铺开了一幅宏大的宇宙协作图景，但其落脚点却极为个人化，逼着写作者本人做出一个清晰的自我定位。奥勒留在这里处理的，是斯多葛派决定论中最令人困惑也最核心的问题：既然万事万物的发生都由宇宙理性所安排，趋向一个唯一的目的，那人世间那些明显的错误、阻碍与恶意，到底算什么？ 他给出的答案毫不妥协。所有的人，无一例外，都在为同一个目的而工作。区别只在于是否知情与自…