Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

That my body has held up so long in this kind of life. That I never got involved with Benedicta and Theodotus, and even later when I had some romantic troubles, I got over them quickly. That though I was often annoyed with Rusticus, I never did anything to him that I later regretted. That even though my mother was meant to die young, she lived with me through all her final years. That whenever I wanted to help someone who was poor or in need, my staff never told me there wasn't enough money to do it. And I never had to ask anyone else for that kind of help. That I have a wife who is so loyal, loving, and honest. That I had good, capable people I could trust to help raise my children.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 25 of 30
Human Nature What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

That my body in such a life, hath been able to hold out so long. That I never had to do with Benedicta and Theodotus, yea and afterwards when I fell into some fits of love, I was soon cured. That having been often displeased with Rusticus, I never did him anything for which afterwards I had occasion to repent. That it being so that my mother was to die young, yet she lived with me all her latter years. That as often as I had a purpose to help and succour any that either were poor, or fallen into some present necessity, I never was answered by my officers that there was not ready money enough to do it; and that I myself never had occasion to require the like succour from any other. That I have such a wife, so obedient, so loving, so ingenuous. That I had choice of fit and able men, to whom I might commit the bringing up of my children.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 25 of 30
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
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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