Take repose in philosophy

pg.29 : Meditations : Marcus Aurelius

When you are compelled by circumstances
that make you disturbed
do not continue out of tune
longer than the compulsion lasts
rather quickly return to yourself
for you will have mastery over harmony
by continually recurring to it

If you had a step-mother and mother
you would be dutiful to your step-mother
but you would constantly return to your mother
let the court and philosophy now be
your step-mother and mother respectively!

Return to philosophy frequently
and repose in her through which
what you meet in the court appears tolerable
and you appear tolerable in the court!

Authors

Marcus Aurelius