The analogy of weight and span. An elegant argument from the indifferent: you are not vexed that you weigh so many pounds (λίτραι) and not three times as much — the body's weight is measured out to you, and that is no matter for complaint. Just so is the span of life (ἔτη) measured out. The governing discipline is desire.

The measured substance. The key is the parallel: as "the amount of substance DOGMAallotted (ἀφώρισται) you, with that you are content (στέργεις)," so also with time (χρόνος). The quantity of matter allotted and the quantity of years allotted are data of the same order, both outside choice. To demand more years is as absurd as to demand more bodily mass.

Contentment with the span. The verb στέργειν ("to love, to be content with") is the same as in the formula of DOGMAamor fati (06-44: ἀσπάζεσθαι καὶ στέργειν). To accept one's span is a particular case of the love of fate; hence too the EXERCISEmemory of death without murmuring: the length of life is not a good of which there is "too little," but an indifferent measure, portioned out by the Whole.

Parallels. DOGMAAmor fati — 06-44; contentment with the allotted — 06-15 (what time brings); time / the EXERCISEspan — 04-47 (to die tomorrow or after ages is "nothing great"); 2.14; 12.36 (whether life be long or short, it is "equal"). Cf. 06-36 (the present is a point of eternity).