Meditations — passage 211

NOTES 165 For the post mortem alternatives see note on 3.3. 'Taken up into the . . . generative principles of the universe' (also in 4.14, 4.ZI.1) reflects the Stoic view, 'dispersed into atoms' the Epi- curean: see note on 4.3.x. 6.z6 A puzzling chapter, curiously expressed. There seems a fusion of several ideas: the importance of method and planned sequence in the completion of any proposed act of duty (cf. the reference to an 'accurate assessment of the gradations of duty' in 3.1), the need for patience and tolerance in the persuasion of others (see notes on z.13 and 5.33), the avoidance of anger (see note on 11.18). The next chapter continues some of these lines of thought. For the name Antoninus see note on 6.44. 6.x7 A similar quasi-sympathetic condescension in 11.18.11. For the duty to teach the ignorant see note on z.13 (compare especially 8.59: 'either teach or tolerate'). 6.z8 For the 'consolation' of death as the relief from life see note on z.14. 6.30.1 A fine passage in assertion of human and divine obligation against the potential corruption of absolute power. dyed in purple: For the metaphorical sense compare 5.16, 'souls are dyed by thoughts': for the literal see note on 6.13. 6.30.Z Always as a pupil of Antoninus: See the more extensive tribute in 1.16 to the emperor Antoninus Pius, Marcus' uncle and ad- optive father. This passage may be a preliminary draft for that larger treatment. How he was content with little: Simplicity of living (a lesson from his mother: 1.3) is a virtue which Marcus admired in others and tried to practise himself: see also 1.5, 1.6, 1.16.8, 1.17.3, 7.67 ('the happy life depends on very little'), 10.1. 6.3 z I am made of body and soul: Other formulations are: 'flesh, breath, and directing mind' (z.z), 'body, soul, mind' (3.16), directing mind, 'sensual soul', body (7.16), 'body, breath, and mind' (iz.3). The mind/body dualism is a frequent theme in the Meditations (in this context 'mind' and 'soul', and 'body' and 'flesh', are synonyms), expressed in contempt of 'the poor passions of the flesh' (7.66: compare 'the body and its gross pleasures' in 11.19) and in an austere asceticism inherently capable of extremes - 'You are a soul carrying a corpse' (4.41, quoted, evidently with approval, from Epictetus: also in 9.Z4, 'tiny spirits carrying corpses', and compare 'the corpse which is our body' in 10.33.3). The mind/soul is the divine part ('the divinity within us': see