Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Both humans and animals can form mental pictures and imagine things. Being driven by wild desires is something we share with beasts and monsters like tyrants Phalaris and Nero. Even following basic reasoning for daily tasks is common to those who don't believe in gods, who would betray their country for personal gain, and who do shameful things in private.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 17 Book 3 · 27 of 28
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To be capable of fancies and imaginations, is common to man and beast. To be violently drawn and moved by the lusts and desires of the soul, is proper to wild beasts and monsters, such as Phalaris and Nero were. To follow reason for ordinary duties and actions is common to them also, who believe not that there be any gods, and for their advantage would make no conscience to betray their own country; and who when once the doors be shut upon them, dare do anything.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 17 Book 3 · 27 of 28
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

To steal, to plant, to buy, to rest, to see what needs to be done — this kind of seeing is not with the eyes, but with a different kind of sight. People don't understand what these words really mean or the different ways they can be understood. The body, the soul, the mind. The senses belong naturally to the body. Desires and emotions belong to the soul. And principles belong to the mind.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 16 Book 3 · 26 of 28
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To steal, to sow, to buy, to be at rest, to see what is to be done (which is not seen by the eyes, but by another kind of sight:) what these words mean, and how many ways to be understood, they do not understand. The body, the soul, the understanding. As the senses naturally belong to the body, and the desires and affections to the soul, so do the dogmata to the understanding.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 16 Book 3 · 26 of 28
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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