Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

He also remembers that anyone who can reason is like him. Caring for all people fits human nature. But honor and praise should not be accepted from everyone — only from those who live according to nature. As for those who don't live this way, he knows what they're like. He knows how they behave at home and in public, day and night. He knows what company they keep and how they waste their time together. So he doesn't care about praise from people who can't even approve of themselves.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 11 of 28
Human Nature What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

He remembers besides that whatsoever partakes of reason, is akin unto him, and that to care for all men generally, is agreeing to the nature of a man: but as for honour and praise, that they ought not generally to be admitted and accepted of from all, but from such only, who live according to nature. As for them that do not, what manner of men they be at home, or abroad; day or night, how conditioned themselves with what manner of conditions, or with men of what conditions they moil and pass away the time together, he knoweth, and remembers right well, he therefore regards not such praise and approbation, as proceeding from them, who cannot like and approve themselves.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 11 of 28
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

A person like this rarely pays attention to what others say, do, or plan — unless it's truly necessary for the common good. He focuses only on things that are in his power, things that truly belong to him. His thoughts are always occupied with what fate or Providence has assigned to him from the whole universe. The things that are his own and in his power — he makes sure these are good. As for the things that happen to him, he believes these are good too. The portion that is assigned to each person is unavoidable and necessary, but it is always beneficial.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 10 of 28
Freedom & Control What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

One who not often, nor without some great necessity tending to some public good, mindeth what any other, either speaks, or doth, or purposeth: for those things only that are in his own power, or that are truly his own, are the objects of his employments, and his thoughts are ever taken up with those things, which of the whole universe are by the fates or Providence destinated and appropriated unto himself. Those things that are his own, and in his own power, he himself takes order, for that they be good: and as for those that happen unto him, he believes them to be so. For that lot and portion which is assigned to every one, as it is unavoidable and necessary, so is it always profitable.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 10 of 28
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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