# XIX: The Will as Vision explained — Marius the Epicurean

> Chapter companion for Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.

## What happens

Marius reflects on Marcus Aurelius's departure for the war on the Danube, viewing it as a Platonic sacrifice of the true king who serves others. He contemplates the nature of belief, the will as an organ of knowledge, and experiences a serene day at Tibur, where he feels a restored sense of self-possession and joy.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Search for Moral Principle and Right Conduct

Explores the Platonic ideal of the true king as a servant and Aurelius's sacrificial acceptance of public duty.

### Epicurean Philosophy and the Pursuit of Pleasure

Marius's pursuit of serenity and the will as an organ of knowledge reflect Epicurean and Stoic contemplations on happiness.

### Suffering, Compassion, and Human Solidarity

Aurelius's visible suffering and Marius's empathetic reflection on his burden highlight the theme of shared human struggle.

## Character check-ins

### Marius

Observes Aurelius's departure, reflects on philosophy and belief, and experiences a serene day at Tibur.

### Marcus Aurelius

Departs for the Danube war, sells imperial treasures for the public good, and is seen by Marius as a suffering, sacrificial king.

### Faustina

Her wardrobe is sold at auction for the war effort, and she bears the loss without complaint.

### Antoninus Pius

Mentioned in the context of Aurelius's adoption and dream of ivory shoulders.

### Plato

His ideal of the true king as a servant is referenced in relation to Aurelius's sacrifice.

### Saint Lewis

Cited as an example of the true king who exiles himself from the better land to serve others.

### Hadrian

His armour is worn by Aurelius, and his collection of gems is sold at auction.

## Key lines

> Paratum cor meum deus! paratum cor meum!

My heart is ready, O God! My heart is ready!

_Opening exclamation reflecting readiness for sacrifice._

> True kingship, as Plato, the old master of Aurelius, had understood it, was essentially of the nature of a service.

According to Plato, true kingship is fundamentally a form of service.

_Platonic ideal of the ruler as servant._

> The true king, the righteous king, would be Saint Lewis, exiling himself from the better land and its perfected company...

The ideal king, like Saint Lewis, would leave a perfect realm to serve others.

_Comparison of Christian and Platonic kingship._

> Might the will itself be an organ of knowledge, of vision?

Could the will be a means of perceiving truth?

_Central philosophical question of the chapter._

> These treasures, said Aurelius, like all else that I possess, belong by right to the Senate and People.

Aurelius declared that his treasures rightfully belong to the Senate and the people.

_Aurelius's public-spirited sale of imperial property._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-iii-xix-the-will-as-vision
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters