Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

A person like this doesn't delay in grabbing what is truly best. He becomes like a priest serving the gods. He knows and stays close to the divine spark within himself, treating it like a sacred temple. He keeps himself clean from pleasure and unshaken by pain. He doesn't wrong himself or let others harm him. He's like the best kind of wrestler, fighting for the highest prize — making sure no passion knocks him down. He's soaked through with goodness, accepting with his whole heart whatever happens or comes his way.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 9 of 28
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

He that is such, is he surely that doth not put off to lay hold on that which is best indeed, a very priest and minister of the gods, well acquainted and in good correspondence with him especially that is seated and placed within himself, as in a temple and sacrary: to whom also he keeps and preserves himself unspotted by pleasure, undaunted by pain; free from any manner of wrong, or contumely, by himself offered unto himself: not capable of any evil from others: a wrestler of the best sort, and for the highest prize, that he may not be cast down by any passion or affection of his own; deeply dyed and drenched in righteousness, embracing and accepting with his whole heart whatsoever either happeneth or is allotted unto him.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 9 of 28
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

So watch your thoughts carefully. Make sure none of them are pointless or irrelevant. Most importantly, avoid thoughts that are nosy or mean-spirited. Train yourself to think only about things you could speak about openly. If someone suddenly asked what you were thinking, you should be able to answer honestly and boldly. Your thoughts should show that you are sincere and peaceful inside. This is how someone acts when they live for others, not just for pleasure or desire. Be free from fighting, envy, and suspicion. Be free from anything you would be ashamed to admit you were thinking about.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 8 of 28
Knowing Yourself Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

See therefore in the whole series and connection of thy thoughts, that thou be careful to prevent whatsoever is idle and impertinent: but especially, whatsoever is curious and malicious: and thou must use thyself to think only of such things, of which if a man upon a sudden should ask thee, what it is that thou art now thinking, thou mayest answer This, and That, freely and boldly, that so by thy thoughts it may presently appear that in all thee is sincere, and peaceable; as becometh one that is made for society, and regards not pleasures, nor gives way to any voluptuous imaginations at all: free from all contentiousness, envy, and suspicion, and from whatsoever else thou wouldest blush to confess thy thoughts were set upon.

Meditations, Book 3, Section 4 Book 3 · 8 of 28
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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