《沉思录·卷十·顺应整体》第34条
To him who is penetrated by true principles even the briefest precept is sufficient, and any common precept, to remind him that he should be free from grief and fear. For example:-- Leaves, also, are thy children; and leaves, too, are they who cry out as if they were worthy of credit and bestow their praise, or on the contrary curse, or secretly blame and sneer; and leaves, in like manner, are those who shall receive and transmit a man's fame to after-times. For all such things as these "are produced in the season of spring," as the poet says; then the wind casts them down; then the forest produces other leaves in their places. But a brief existence is common to all things, and yet thou avoidest and pursuest all things as if they would be eternal. A little time, and thou shalt close thy eyes; and him who has attended thee to thy grave another soon will lament.
注释摘要
一个人若真被那些根本的道理穿透了，哪怕是最短的一句话，哪怕是一句普普通通的格言，也足够提醒他摆脱忧伤与恐惧。奥勒留在这里不是在讨论理论学习，而是在讲一种心灵状态：道理已经内化，不再需要复杂的论证才能保持平静。你只需轻轻一点，他就立刻回到正轨，就像调好的乐器，碰一下就发出正确的声音。 他随即举出的例子，就是这一句格言式的提醒：连你的孩子也是树叶，那些高声赞美…