《沉思录·卷七·痛苦与忍受》第5条
Is my understanding sufficient for this or not? If it is sufficient, I use it for the work as an instrument given by the universal nature. But if it is not sufficient, then either I retire from the work and give way to him who is able to do it better, unless there be some reason why I ought not to do so; or I do it as well as I can, taking to help me the man who with the aid of my ruling principle can do what is now fit and useful for the general good. For what-soever either by myself or with another I can do, ought to be directed to this only, to that which is useful and well suited to society.
注释摘要
这条的推理结构非常清晰。奥勒留在问自己：面对手头这件事，我的理解力够不够。如果够，那就用起来，而且他特意说这能力是“宇宙本性给我的工具”——在斯多葛体系里，每个人的理性就是宇宙理性分出来的碎片，人不是靠天才或运气才有能力，而是领受了自然的分配。所以能力够的时候，去做就是顺应自然，用不着额外焦虑。如果不够，就分出两条路：要么退出，让更能胜任的人来做；要么在不…