Stoic Snippets 156

If a thing is in your own power, why do you do it? 

But if it is in the power of another, whom do you blame—the atoms or the gods? 

Both are foolish. You must blame nobody. 

For if you can, correct that which is the cause; but if you cannot do this, correct at least the thing itself; but if you cannot do even this, of what use is it to you to find fault? 

For nothing should be done without a purpose. 

—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.17 

IMAGE: Peter Paul Rubens, Cain Slaying Abel (c. 1609)