《沉思录·卷七·痛苦与忍受》第75条
The nature of the All moved to make the universe. But now either everything that takes place comes by way of consequence or [continuity]; or even the chief things towards which the ruling power of the universe directs its own movement are governed by no rational principle. If this is remembered, it will make thee more tranquil in many things (vi. 44; ix. 28).
注释摘要
这是奥勒留在卷七末尾扔下的一个沉重的思辨锚点。他先用一句话概括了斯多葛派的基本宇宙图景：宇宙本身（“全体之本性”）曾经“运动起来”，创生了这整个秩序井然的世界。这是一个不容置疑的前提——世界不是偶然的堆积，而是某种理性的、有目的的展开。 接下来才是这段话真正的挣扎。既然宇宙最初是由理性推动的，那现在呢？现在世间这一切的发生，究竟遵循什么原则？奥勒留给出了两…