The Imagery of Self-Government - Book I
Aurelius expounds, “From Maximus I learned self-government, and not to be led aside by anything; and cheerfulness in all circumstances, as well as in illness; and a just admixture in the moral character of sweetness and dignity, and to do what was set before me without complaining.” Self-government endows one to govern his/her passions appropriately. Furthermore, it heartens one to circumnavigate problematic scenarios such as illness. Individuals who comprehend the essence of self-government dodge extreme reactions that would obstruct them from adjusting themselves.
The Imagery of Disappearance - Book II
Aurelius remarks, “How quickly all things disappear, in the universe the bodies themselves, but in time memory of them; what is the nature of all sensible things, and particularly those that attract with the bait of pleasure or terrify by pain, or are noised abroad by vapory fame; how worthless and compatible and sordid and perishable and dead they are-all this t is the part of the intellectual faculty to observe.” Everything is bound to vanish; thus, permanence is not a guarantee. Everything is perishable; pleasure wanes and fame evaporates eventually. Humans ought to learn that holding on the perishable things is in vain.
