Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Don't imagine the same things that someone who wrongs you imagines, or wants you to imagine. Instead, look at the matter itself and see what it really is.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 9 Book 4 · 13 of 54
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Conceit no such things, as he that wrongeth thee conceiveth, or would have thee to conceive, but look into the matter itself, and see what it is in very truth.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 9 Book 4 · 13 of 54
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever happens in the world happens justly. If you pay close attention, you will see this. I don't just mean things follow in logical order. I mean they happen according to real justice — like fair distribution based on true worth. Keep watching for this pattern, as you have started to do. And whatever you do, make sure it's something a truly good person would do. Pay careful attention to this in every action.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 8 Book 4 · 12 of 54
Doing The Right Thing Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever doth happen in the world, doth happen justly, and so if thou dost well take heed, thou shalt find it. I say not only in right order by a series of inevitable consequences, but according to justice and as it were by way of equal distribution, according to the true worth of everything. Continue then to take notice of it, as thou hast begun, and whatsoever thou dost, do it not without this proviso, that it be a thing of that nature that a good man (as the word good is properly taken) may do it. This observe carefully in every action.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 8 Book 4 · 12 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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