Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Remember how long you have been putting these things off. Again and again you have been given the chance, and you have let it pass. It is time to understand the true nature of the world you are part of. And to understand that Lord and Governor of the world, from whom you yourself flowed like water from a spring. There is only a certain amount of time given to you. If you don't use it to calm the troubles of your soul, it will pass away and you with it, and never return.

Meditations, Book 2, Section 1 Book 2 · 1 of 20
What Matters Most Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Remember how long thou hast already put off these things, and how often a certain day and hour as it were, having been set unto thee by the gods, thou hast neglected it. It is high time for thee to understand the true nature both of the world, whereof thou art a part; and of that Lord and Governor of the world, from whom, as a channel from the spring, thou thyself didst flow: and that there is but a certain limit of time appointed unto thee, which if thou shalt not make use of to calm and allay the many distempers of thy soul, it will pass away and thou with it, and never after return.

Meditations, Book 2, Section 1 Book 2 · 1 of 20
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
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support