Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever comes directly from the gods, everyone agrees depends on divine providence. Even things we call accidents or luck must also come from nature—from that first connection that links all things together. The gods clearly run and control this process.

Everything flows from there. Whatever exists is both necessary and helps the whole universe (which you are part of). Whatever the universe needs to survive must be good for each individual part too. The universe preserves itself through constant change—simple elements turning into each other, and complex things changing and shifting. Let this be enough for you. Let these ideas be your basic rules.

As for your hunger for books, get rid of it quickly. Don't die complaining and bitter. Die calm and satisfied, truly grateful to the gods.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 17 Book 1 · 30 of 30
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever proceeds from the gods immediately, that any man will grant totally depends from their divine providence. As for those things that are commonly said to happen by fortune, even those must be conceived to have dependence from nature, or from that first and general connection, and concatenation of all those things, which more apparently by the divine providence are administered and brought to pass. All things flow from thence: and whatsoever it is that is, is both necessary, and conducing to the whole (part of which thou art), and whatsoever it is that is requisite and necessary for the preservation of the general, must of necessity for every particular nature, be good and behoveful. And as for the whole, it is preserved, as by the perpetual mutation and conversion of the simple elements one into another, so also by the mutation, and alteration of things mixed and compounded. Let these things suffice thee; let them be always unto thee, as thy general rules and precepts. As for thy thirst after books, away with it with all speed, that thou die not murmuring and complaining, but truly meek and well satisfied, and from thy heart thankful unto the gods.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 17 Book 1 · 30 of 30
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever I am is either flesh, or life, or what we call the ruling part of a person: reason. Put away your books. Don't let your mind get distracted and pulled around anymore. It won't help. Since you're ready to die anyway, think little of your flesh. It's just blood, bones, and skin. A nice piece of woven work made of nerves, veins, and arteries. Don't think of it as more than that. As for your life, consider what it is: a wind. Not even a steady wind, but something that gets let out and sucked back in every moment. The third part is your ruling mind. Here's what to consider: You are an old man. Don't let that excellent part become enslaved. Don't let it get jerked around by unreasonable and antisocial desires, like a puppet on strings. Don't let it complain about what's happening now, or fear what's coming that fate has set for you.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 16 Book 1 · 29 of 30
Knowing Yourself Freedom & Control Death & Mortality
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever I am, is either flesh, or life, or that which we commonly call the mistress and overruling part of man; reason. Away with thy books, suffer not thy mind any more to be distracted, and carried to and fro; for it will not be; but as even now ready to die, think little of thy flesh: blood, bones, and a skin; a pretty piece of knit and twisted work, consisting of nerves, veins and arteries; think no more of it, than so. And as for thy life, consider what it is; a wind; not one constant wind neither, but every moment of an hour let out, and sucked in again. The third, is thy ruling part; and here consider; Thou art an old man; suffer not that excellent part to be brought in subjection, and to become slavish: suffer it not to be drawn up and down with unreasonable and unsociable lusts and motions, as it were with wires and nerves; suffer it not any more, either to repine at anything now present, or to fear and fly anything to come, which the destiny hath appointed thee.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 16 Book 1 · 29 of 30
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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