"In the morning when thou findest thyself unwilling torise, considerwith thyself presently, it is to go about a man's work that Iam stirred up. Am I then yet unwilling to go about that, forwhich I myself was born and brought forth into this world? Orwas I made for this, to lay me down, and make much of myselfin a warm bed? 'O but this is pleasing.' And was it then for thisthat thou wert born, that thou mightest enjoy pleasure? Was itnot in very truth for this, that thou mightest always be busyand in action? Seest thou not how all things in the world be-sides, how every tree md plant, how sparrows and ants, spidersand bees: how all in their kind are intent as it were orderly toperform whatsoever (towards the preservation of this orderlyuniverse) naturally doth become and belong unto thin? Andwilt not thou do that, which belongs unto a man to do? Wilt notthou run to do that, which thy nature doth require? 'But thoumust have some rest.' Yes, thou must. Nature hath of that also,as well as of eating and drinking, allowed thee a certain stint.But thou guest beyond thy stint, and beyond that which wouldsuffice, and in matter of action, there thou comest short of thatwhich thou mayest. It must needs be therefore, that thou dostnot love thyself, for if thou didst, thou wouldst also love thynature, and that which thy nature doth propose unto herself asher end. Others, as many as take pleasure in their trade andprofession, can even pine themselves at their works, and neg-lect their bodies and their food for it; and doest thou less hon-our thy nature, than an ordinary mechanic his trade; or a gooddancer his art? than a covetous man his silver, and vainglori-ous man applause? These to whatsoever they take an affection,can be content to want their meat and sleep, to further thatevery one which he affects: and shall actions tending to thecommon good of human society, seem more vile unto thee, orworthy of less respect and intention?" Marcus Aurelius
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