Meditations, Book 3, Section 4

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.

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.

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.

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.