Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

I also know that any person who does wrong is my relative. Not by blood, but because we share the same ability to reason and the same divine spark. How can such people hurt me? They cannot make me do anything truly shameful. Why should I be angry at someone who is naturally so close to me? We are all born to work together, like feet and hands, like upper and lower teeth. To oppose each other goes against nature. Getting upset and turning away from each other is just opposition.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 15 Book 1 · 28 of 30
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

who know moreover, that this transgressor, whosoever he be, is my kinsman, not by the same blood and seed, but by participation of the same reason, and of the same divine particle; How can I either be hurt by any of those, since it is not in their power to make me incur anything that is truly reproachful? or angry, and ill affected towards him, who by nature is so near unto me? for we are all born to be fellow-workers, as the feet, the hands, and the eyelids; as the rows of the upper and under teeth: for such therefore to be in opposition, is against nature; and what is it to chafe at, and to be averse from, but to be in opposition?

Meditations, Book 1, Section 15 Book 1 · 28 of 30
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
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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