Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Keep these ideas short and basic. When you remember them, they should be enough to clear your mind and send you back to your duties feeling content. What is bothering you anyway? Is it people's bad behavior? Remember that all thinking creatures are made to help each other. Being patient with them is part of justice. They don't mean to do wrong. And how many people who used to hate, suspect, and fight bitterly are now dead and gone? It's time to let it go.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 3 Book 4 · 4 of 54
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Let these precepts be brief and fundamental, which as soon as thou dost call them to mind, may suffice thee to purge thy soul throughly, and to send thee away well pleased with those things whatsoever they be, which now again after this short withdrawing of thy soul into herself thou dost return unto. For what is it that thou art offended at? Can it be at the wickedness of men, when thou dost call to mind this conclusion, that all reasonable creatures are made one for another? and that it is part of justice to bear with them? and that it is against their wills that they offend? and how many already, who once likewise prosecuted their enmities, suspected, hated, and fiercely contended, are now long ago stretched out, and reduced unto ashes? It is time for thee to make an end.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 3 Book 4 · 4 of 54
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

People search for quiet places to escape — country villages, the seashore, mountains. You yourself often crave such places. But know that this comes from the deepest kind of simplicity. Whenever you want, you can retreat into yourself and find rest, free from all distractions. A person cannot retreat to any better place than his own soul, especially if he has prepared good things within. When he looks inside, he finds perfect peace and calm right away. By calm I mean a proper, orderly way of being — free from confusion and chaos. Give yourself this retreat constantly, and refresh yourself.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 3 Book 4 · 3 of 54
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

They seek for themselves private retiring places, as country villages, the sea-shore, mountains; yea thou thyself art wont to long much after such places. But all this thou must know proceeds from simplicity in the highest degree. At what time soever thou wilt, it is in thy power to retire into thyself, and to be at rest, and free from all businesses. A man cannot any whither retire better than to his own soul; he especially who is beforehand provided of such things within, which whensoever he doth withdraw himself to look in, may presently afford unto him perfect ease and tranquillity. By tranquillity I understand a decent orderly disposition and carriage, free from all confusion and tumultuousness. Afford then thyself this retiring continually, and thereby refresh and renew thyself.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 3 Book 4 · 3 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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