MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS
THE EMPEROR
TO HIMSELF
BOOK I
1. From my Grandfather Verus,[1] a kindly disposition and sweetness of temper.
2. From what I heard of my Father[2] and my memory of him, modesty and manliness.
3. From my Mother, the fear of God, and generosity; and abstention not only from doing ill but even from the very thought of doing it; and furthermore to live the simple life,[3] far removed from the habits of the rich.
4. From my Grandfather's Father,[4] to dispense with attendance at public schools, and to enjoy good teachers at home,[5] and to recognize that on such things money should be eagerly spent.
- ↑ sc. “I had an example of,” “was in the way to learn.” But the construction varies and sometimes a direct statement of characteristics is given. It is obvious that Marcus does not claim to possess all the good qualities enumerated.
- ↑ Died before 136. The grandfather of M. (§ 1) died aged nearly 90 in 138 (Capit. Vit. Mar. vi. 1; Vit. Pii iv. 2).
- ↑ cp. Aristides, ad Reg. 115 (Jebb) διαίτης εὐτέλεια (of Marcus).
- ↑ Catilius Severus, praef. urbi, who hoped to succeed Hadrian (Spart. Vit. Hadr. v. 10; xxiv. 6).
- ↑ Capit. Vit. Mar. (ii. 3–iii. 4) gives a list of these.
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