Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

That I lived under my adoptive father, who taught me to put aside all pride and show. He showed me that a ruler doesn't need troops of guards, fancy clothes, torches, statues, and all the other trappings of power. A person can live almost like a private citizen and still handle public duties that require real authority. That I had such a brother who stirred me to better thoughts by his example, and whose respect and love brought me joy. That my children were born healthy and without any deformities.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 22 of 30
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

That I lived under the government of my lord and father, who would take away from me all pride and vainglory, and reduce me to that conceit and opinion that it was not impossible for a prince to live in the court without a troop of guards and followers, extraordinary apparel, such and such torches and statues, and other like particulars of state and magnificence; but that a man may reduce and contract himself almost to the state of a private man, and yet for all that not to become the more base and remiss in those public matters and affairs, wherein power and authority is requisite. That I have had such a brother, who by his own example might stir me up to think of myself; and by his respect and love, delight and please me. That I have got ingenuous children, and that they were not born distorted, nor with any other natural deformity.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 22 of 30
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

From the gods I received good grandfathers and parents, a good sister, good teachers, good servants, loving relatives—almost everything I have. And I never hurt any of them through haste or carelessness, even though my nature was such that I easily could have. It was the mercy of the gods that prevented the circumstances that would have made me do wrong. I was not raised for long by my father's mistress. I kept my innocence. I did not try to become a man too early, but waited longer than I needed to.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 21 of 30
Knowing Yourself Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

From the gods I received that I had good grandfathers, and parents, a good sister, good masters, good domestics, loving kinsmen, almost all that I have; and that I never through haste and rashness transgressed against any of them, notwithstanding that my disposition was such, as that such a thing (if occasion had been) might very well have been committed by me, but that It was the mercy of the gods, to prevent such a concurring of matters and occasions, as might make me to incur this blame. That I was not long brought up by the concubine of my father; that I preserved the flower of my youth. That I took not upon me to be a man before my time, but rather put it off longer than I needed.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 21 of 30
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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