《沉思录·卷九·不义与虚妄》第29条
The universal cause is like a winter torrent: it carries everything along with it. But how worthless are all these poor people who are engaged in matters political, and, as they suppose, are playing the philosopher! All drivellers. Well then, man: do what nature now requires. Set thyself in motion, if it is in thy power, and do not look about thee to see if any one will observe it; nor yet expect Plato's Republic: but be content if the smallest thing goes on well, and consider such an event to be no small matter. For who can change men's opinions? and without a change of opinions what else is there than the slavery of men who groan while they pretend to obey? Come now and tell me of Alexander and Philippus and Demetrius of Phalerum. They themselves shall judge whether they discovered what the common nature required, and trained themselves accordingly. But if they acted like tragedy heroes, no one has condemned me to imitate them. Simple and modest is the work of philosophy. Draw me not aside to insolence and pride.
注释摘要
奥勒留在这里劈头就用了一个严峻的意象：宇宙的普遍因（the universal cause）不是一条平缓的河流，而是冬天暴发的山洪，汹涌奔腾，把一切席卷而去。这个意象在斯多葛派的语境里，指的正是那种贯穿万物的主动理性（logos），它安排着一切的生成、变化和消亡，不以任何个人的意志为转移。紧接着，他话锋一转，说那些忙于政事、还自以为在搞哲学的人，不过是可怜…