Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever happens in the world is as natural and common as roses blooming in spring or fruit ripening in summer. Sickness and death are the same way. So are gossip and betrayal. All these things that make fools happy or sad are just ordinary parts of life. Whatever comes next always follows naturally from what came before. You must see the things of the world not as random separate events, but as a connected pattern that fits together in order. In the world's events, there is not just one thing after another. There is a beautiful connection and harmony.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 36 Book 4 · 45 of 54
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever doth happen in the world, is, in the course of nature, as usual and ordinary as a rose in the spring, and fruit in summer. Of the same nature is sickness and death; slander, and lying in wait, and whatsoever else ordinarily doth unto fools use to be occasion either of joy or sorrow. That, whatsoever it is, that comes after, doth always very naturally, and as it were familiarly, follow upon that which was before. For thou must consider the things of the world, not as a loose independent number, consisting merely of necessary events; but as a discreet connection of things orderly and harmoniously disposed. There is then to be seen in the things of the world, not a bare succession, but an admirable correspondence and affinity.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 36 Book 4 · 45 of 54
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Change itself cannot harm you. And change cannot help you reach true being either. The world's history flows like a rushing river made up of all the events that happen. As soon as something appears and passes away, another thing takes its place. And that too will soon be gone.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 35 Book 4 · 44 of 54
Freedom & Control Death & Mortality
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To suffer change can be no hurt; as no benefit it is, by change to attain to being. The age and time of the world is as it were a flood and swift current, consisting of the things that are brought to pass in the world. For as soon as anything hath appeared, and is passed away, another succeeds, and that also will presently out of sight.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 35 Book 4 · 44 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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