“What is my ruling faculty now to me? and of what nature am I now making it? and for what purpose am I now using it? is it void of understanding? is it loosed and rent asunder from social life? is it melted and mixed with the poor flesh so as to move together with it?”

— Marcus Aurelius , book Meditations

Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book X, 24

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Marcus Aurelius 400

Emperor of Ancient Rome 121–180

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“What is my ruling faculty now to me?”

Marcus Aurelius book Meditations

X, 24
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book X
Context: What is my ruling faculty now to me? and of what nature am I now making it? and for what purpose am I now using it? is it void of understanding? is it loosed and rent asunder from social life? is it melted and mixed with the poor flesh so as to move together with it?

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translation from original Dutch, Fons Heijnsbroek, 2018

(version in original Dutch / origineel citaat van Herman Kruyder:) Nu pas zie ik waartoe ik in staat ben en ik begrijp niet dat ik het doek in mijn kleine voorkamer [1928, in Blaricum] heb kunnen maken.

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