Nothing is so productive of elevation of mind as to examine 
methodically and truly every object. which is presented to thee in 
life and always to look at things so as to see at the same time what 
kind of universe this is, and what kind of use everything performs 
in it, and what value everything has with reference to the whole, 
and what with reference to man who is a citizen of the highest city, 
of which all other cities are like families; what each thing is, and of 
what it is composed, and how long it is the nature of this thing to 
endure which now makes an impression on me, and what virtue I 
have need of with respect to it, such as gentleness, manliness, 
truth, fidelity, simplicity, contentment, and the rest. Wherefore 
on every occasion a man should say—‘“ This comes from God.”— 
The Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antonininus (III, 11). 
