Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

How much time and peace you gain when you don't worry about what your neighbor said or did or tried to do. Focus only on your own actions — that they may be just and holy. As Agathos put it: Don't look around at the bad behavior of others, but run straight ahead without getting distracted or worked up.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 15 Book 4 · 19 of 54
What Matters Most Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Now much time and leisure doth he gain, who is not curious to know what his neighbour hath said, or hath done, or hath attempted, but only what he doth himself, that it may be just and holy? or to express it in Agathos' words, Not to look about upon the evil conditions of others, but to run on straight in the line, without any loose and extravagant agitation.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 15 Book 4 · 19 of 54
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Not as though you had thousands of years to live. Death hangs over you. While you still live, while you can, be good.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 14 Book 4 · 18 of 54
Death & Mortality Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Not as though thou hadst thousands of years to live. Death hangs over thee: whilst yet thou livest, whilst thou mayest, be good.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 14 Book 4 · 18 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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