《沉思录·卷七·痛苦与忍受》第24条
A scowling look is altogether unnatural; when it is often assumed, the result is that all comeliness dies away, and at last is so completely extinguished that it cannot be again lighted up at all. Try to conclude from this very fact that it is contrary to reason. For if even the perception of doing wrong shall depart, what reason is there for living any longer?
注释摘要
奥勒留在这段话里采用的是一种由外向内、由表及里的推理。他从一个极具体、极微小的身体动作——皱眉，出发，最终抵达一个关乎人是否还值得活下去的根本问题。这里的关键前提在于他的斯多葛主义信念：自然所赋予的一切都不是偶然的，人的身心构造本身就携带着合理的目的。人笑、人舒展面容，这是符合理性的、也是符合社会性的自然表达，因为理性动物天然倾向于与同类协作与亲近。而“s…