Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

In the country of the Quadi at Granua, these thoughts. Early in the morning say to yourself: Today I will deal with someone who meddles in my business, someone ungrateful, someone who insults others, someone sneaky and false, or someone jealous. I will meet someone unfriendly and unkind. All these bad qualities come from one thing — they don't understand what is truly good and what is truly bad. But I understand that only virtue is worth wanting, and only vice is truly disgusting and shameful.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 15 Book 1 · 27 of 30
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

In the country of the Quadi at Granua, these. Betimes in the morning say to thyself, This day I shalt have to do with an idle curious man, with an unthankful man, a railer, a crafty, false, or an envious man; an unsociable uncharitable man. All these ill qualities have happened unto them, through ignorance of that which is truly good and truly bad. But I that understand the nature of that which is good, that it only is to be desired, and of that which is bad, that it only is truly odious and shameful:

Meditations, Book 1, Section 15 Book 1 · 27 of 30
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

That through dreams I have received help with many things. In particular, how to stop coughing up blood and cure my dizziness. Like what happened to you in Cajeta, or to Chryses when he prayed by the seashore. And when I first turned to philosophy, I didn't fall into the hands of some fake teacher. I didn't waste time reading endless books by common philosophers. I didn't get caught up in solving pointless arguments or studying weather patterns and other natural curiosities. None of these good things could have happened without the help of the gods and fortune.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 26 of 30
Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

That by dreams I have received help, as for other things, so in particular, how I might stay my casting of blood, and cure my dizziness, as that also that happened to thee in Cajeta, as unto Chryses when he prayed by the seashore. And when I did first apply myself to philosophy, that I did not fall into the hands of some sophists, or spent my time either in reading the manifold volumes of ordinary philosophers, nor in practising myself in the solution of arguments and fallacies, nor dwelt upon the studies of the meteors, and other natural curiosities. All these things without the assistance of the gods, and fortune, could not have been.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 26 of 30
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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