As physicians always have their instruments ready for cases which suddenly require their skill, so do you have principles ready for insight into both divine and human affairs, and for doing everything, even the smallest, with an awareness of the bond which unites the divine and the human. For you will not do anything well which pertains to man without […]
There is no one who hinders you from always doing and saying the things which are according to the nature of which you are a part. Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180)
Regarding that which happens in harmony with nature, we ought to blame neither gods, for they do nothing wrong either voluntarily or involuntarily, nor men, for they do nothing wrong except unconsciously. Consequently, we should blame no one. Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180)
It is in our power to have no opinion about a thing, and not to be disturbed in our soul, for things themselves have no natural power to form our judgements. Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180)
The ruling faculty does not disturb itself, I mean, it does not frighten itself or cause itself pain… The guiding principle in itself wants nothing, unless it makes a want for itself, and therefore it is free. Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180)
Remember that the ruling faculty is invincible; when self-collected it is satisfied with itself… therefore the mind which is free from passions is a citadel, for man has nothing more secure to which he can fly for safety. Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180)
The fulfillment of Christ’s teaching consists in moving away from self toward God. Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910)
The animal existence of a man does not constitute human life alone. Life, according to the will of God only, is also not human life. Human life is a combination of the animal life and the divine life. And the more this combination approaches to the divine life, the more life there is in it. Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910)
Men recognize that in their lives something is wrong, and that something needs improving. Man is able to improve only that one thing which is in his power: himself. But in order to improve oneself one must first of all recognize one’s own deficiencies, and this one does not desire to do. Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910)
Religions are different in their external forms, but they are all the same in their fundamental principles. And it is just these fundamental principles of all religions which represent that true religion which alone today is natural to all men, and the acceptation of which can alone save men from their calamities. Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910)
