《沉思录·卷八·行事与本分》第51条
Neither in thy actions be sluggish nor in thy conversation without method, nor wandering in thy thoughts, nor let there be in thy soul inward contention nor external effusion, nor in life be so busy as to have no leisure. Suppose that men kill thee, cut thee in pieces, curse thee. What then can these things do to prevent thy mind from remaining pure, wise, sober, just? For instance, if a man should stand by a limpid pure spring, and curse it, the spring never ceases sending up potable water; and if he should cast clay into it or filth, it will speedily disperse them and wash them out, and will not be at all polluted. How then shalt thou possess a perpetual fountain [and not a mere well]? By forming + thyself hourly to freedom conjoined with contentment, simplicity, and modesty.
注释摘要
这段文字是奥勒留一连串紧凑的自我命令，它的核心意象是内在的清泉，围绕这个意象，他谈了灵魂的两种错乱，以及如何守住那条不可被外界触碰的底线。 第一部分的四个否定，是在诊断灵魂内部和外部活动的病症。行为上的懒惰，言谈上的无章法，这是外部活动出了问题。更深一层是思想上的游荡不居，这是内在逻各斯未能稳住驾驭者的位置。更关键的是后面两句：灵魂内部不要有争斗，外部不要…