Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What should we focus our care and effort on? Only this: that our thoughts and intentions are just. That our actions are kind. That our words are never false, and our understanding is free from error. That we always accept whatever happens to us as necessary, normal, and ordinary — flowing from the same source that created both you and everything else. So willingly and completely surrender yourself to this chain of fate. Let the fates do with you as they will.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 28 Book 4 · 37 of 54
Doing The Right Thing Freedom & Control What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What is it that we must bestow our care and diligence upon? even upon this only: that our minds and wills be just; that our actions be charitable; that our speech be never deceitful, or that our understanding be not subject to error; that our inclination be always set to embrace whatsoever shall happen unto us, as necessary, as usual, as ordinary, as flowing from such a beginning, and such a fountain, from which both thou thyself and all things are. Willingly therefore, and wholly surrender up thyself unto that fatal concatenation, yielding up thyself unto the fates, to be disposed of at their pleasure.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 28 Book 4 · 37 of 54
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Words that were once common are now forgotten and old-fashioned. The same thing happens to famous names. Camillus, Cæso, Volesius, Leonnatus — then Scipio, Cato, Augustus, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius. Soon all these names will be out of date. They will seem like myths from another world. And these were the great ones who amazed their times. As for everyone else, they die and their fame dies with them right away. So what lasts forever? Nothing. It's all meaningless.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 28 Book 4 · 36 of 54
Death & Mortality What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Those words which once were common and ordinary, are now become obscure and obsolete; and so the names of men once commonly known and famous, are now become in a manner obscure and obsolete names. Camillus, Cæso, Volesius, Leonnatus; not long after, Scipio, Cato, then Augustus, then Adrianus, then Antoninus Pius: all these in a short time will be out of date, and, as things of another world as it were, become fabulous. And this I say of them, who once shined as the wonders of their ages, for as for the rest, no sooner are they expired, than with them all their fame and memory. And what is it then that shall always be remembered? all is vanity.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 28 Book 4 · 36 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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