Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

From Fronto I learned how much envy, fraud, and hypocrisy surround a tyrant. I also learned that those who are commonly called noble-born often lack natural human affection.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 8 Book 1 · 10 of 30
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Of Fronto, to how much envy and fraud and hypocrisy the state of a tyrannous king is subject unto, and how they who are commonly called εὐπατρίδαι, _i.e._ nobly born, are in some sort incapable, or void of natural affection.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 8 Book 1 · 10 of 30
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

From Alexander the Grammarian, I learned not to be harsh with people who make language mistakes. Don't call out someone for bad grammar or wrong pronunciation. Instead, find a smooth way to show the right form. Answer their question using the correct word, or confirm what they said but with proper speech. Don't make a big deal of their mistake. Just give them a gentle, indirect hint about the right way to say it.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 7 Book 1 · 9 of 30
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

From Alexander the Grammarian, to be un-reprovable myself, and not reproachfully to reprehend any man for a barbarism, or a solecism, or any false pronunciation, but dextrously by way of answer, or testimony, or confirmation of the same matter (taking no notice of the word) to utter it as it should have been spoken; or by some other such close and indirect admonition, handsomely and civilly to tell him of it.

Meditations, Book 1, Section 7 Book 1 · 9 of 30
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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