Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

I have often thought deeply about what it means to live according to nature. I've had many chances to understand what that kind of life looks like. The gods have given me suggestions, help, and inspiration. Nothing stopped me from starting to live this way long ago. Even now, I'm still not living that life fully. The only reason is my own fault — I haven't paid attention to the inner movements and hints, even the clear instructions, that the gods have been giving me.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 24 of 30
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

That I have had occasion often and effectually to consider and meditate with myself, concerning that life which is according to nature, what the nature and manner of it is: so that as for the gods and such suggestions, helps and inspirations, as might be expected from them, nothing did hinder, but that I might have begun long before to live according to nature; or that even now that I was not yet partaker and in present possession of that life, that I myself (in that I did not observe those inward motions, and suggestions, yea and almost plain and apparent instructions and admonitions of the gods,) was the only cause of it.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 24 of 30
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

That I was not skilled in rhetoric and poetry and other subjects that I might have spent too much time on if I had been good at them. That I promoted the people who raised me to the positions they wanted while they could still enjoy them. I didn't make them wait with promises that I would reward them later when they were older. That I got to know Apollonius and Rusticus and Maximus.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 23 of 30
Knowing Yourself Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

That I was no great proficient in the study of rhetoric and poetry, and of other faculties, which perchance I might have dwelt upon, if I had found myself to go on in them with success. That I did by times prefer those, by whom I was brought up, to such places and dignities, which they seemed unto me most to desire; and that I did not put them off with hope and expectation, that (since that they were yet but young) I would do the same hereafter. That I ever knew Apollonius and Rusticus, and Maximus.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 23 of 30
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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