Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

He was not easily shaken or upset. He loved being steady — staying in the same places and doing the same work. After his bad headaches, he would come back fresh and ready for his duties. He kept few secrets, and only about public matters. He showed good judgment in putting on public shows and games for the people. He built public buildings and gave money to citizens. In all of this, he treated people simply as people. He cared about fairness, not about the fame it might bring him. He never used the public baths at odd hours. He was not obsessed with building projects. He did not fuss over his food, or the quality and color of his clothes, or anything that was just for show.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 13 Book 1 · 19 of 30
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Again, how he was not easily moved and tossed up and down, but loved to be constant, both in the same places and businesses; and how after his great fits of headache he would return fresh and vigorous to his wonted affairs. Again, that secrets he neither had many, nor often, and such only as concerned public matters: his discretion and moderation, in exhibiting of the public sights and shows for the pleasure and pastime of the people: in public buildings. congiaries, and the like. In all these things, having a respect unto men only as men, and to the equity of the things themselves, and not unto the glory that might follow. Never wont to use the baths at unseasonable hours; no builder; never curious, or solicitous, either about his meat, or about the workmanship, or colour of his clothes, or about anything that belonged to external beauty.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 13 Book 1 · 19 of 30
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

He also honored all true philosophers. He didn't criticize those who weren't philosophers. He was friendly and pleasant to talk with, but never boring. He took care of his body in reasonable ways. He didn't try to live forever or obsess over looking perfect. But he didn't neglect his health either. Because he took good care of himself, he rarely needed medicine or treatments. Most importantly, he graciously stepped back when others had special skills. If someone was a great speaker, or knew the law well, or understood old traditions, he supported them. He worked hard to make sure each person got respect for what they did best. He carefully followed the old customs of his ancestors. But he didn't make a show of it or want people to notice how traditional he was.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 13 Book 1 · 18 of 30
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Moreover, how much he did honour all true philosophers, without upbraiding those that were not so; his sociableness, his gracious and delightful conversation, but never unto satiety; his care of his body within bounds and measure, not as one that desired to live long, or over-studious of neatness, and elegancy; and yet not as one that did not regard it: so that through his own care and providence, he seldom needed any inward physic, or outward applications: but especially how ingeniously he would yield to any that had obtained any peculiar faculty, as either eloquence, or the knowledge of the laws, or of ancient customs, or the like; and how he concurred with them, in his best care and endeavour that every one of them might in his kind, for that wherein he excelled, be regarded and esteemed: and although he did all things carefully after the ancient customs of his forefathers, yet even of this was he not desirous that men should take notice, that he did imitate ancient customs.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 13 Book 1 · 18 of 30
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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