《沉思录·卷十二·此刻即全部》第14条
Either there is a fatal necessity and invincible order, or a kind providence, or a confusion without a purpose and without a director (iv. 27). If then there is an invincible necessity, why dost thou resist? But if there is a providence which allows itself to be propitiated, make thyself worthy of the help of the divinity. But if there is a confusion without a governor, be content that in such a tempest thou hast in thyself a certain ruling intelligence. And even if the tempest carry thee away, let it carry away the poor flesh, the poor breath, everything else; for the intelligence at least it will not carry away.
注释摘要
在这段札记里，奥勒留摆出了三种关于宇宙本质的可能假说，然后逐一给出回应的态度。这不像是镇定自若的哲学推演，更像是他在极度疲惫、面对死亡与战争时，对自己做的最后一次内心动员。他并没有试图论证哪一个选项更正确，而是把三条路都走一遍，并且指出，无论你选择哪一条，最终导向的生活方式都一样。 第一种可能是铁定的必然性与不可征服的秩序。这个说法在斯多葛的语境里指向严格…