Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Poor me, this bad thing happened to me! No, wait — lucky me. This thing happened, and I can handle it without falling apart. I'm not hurt by what's here now. I'm not afraid of what's coming next. This could have happened to anyone. But not everyone could have handled it without breaking down. So why call this bad luck instead of good luck? Can you really call something unlucky when it doesn't go against human nature? Can you call it a disaster when it doesn't work against what we're meant to do?

Meditations, Book 4, Section 41 Book 4 · 51 of 54
Facing Hardship Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Oh, wretched I, to whom this mischance is happened! nay, happy I, to whom this thing being happened, I can continue without grief; neither wounded by that which is present, nor in fear of that which is to come. For as for this, it might have happened unto any man, but any man having such a thing befallen him, could not have continued without grief. Why then should that rather be an unhappiness, than this a happiness? But however, canst thou, O man! term that unhappiness, which is no mischance to the nature of man I Canst thou think that a mischance to the nature of man, which is not contrary to the end and will of his nature?

Meditations, Book 4, Section 41 Book 4 · 51 of 54
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

You must be like a rocky cliff by the sea. The waves beat against it constantly, but it stands firm. And around it, those crashing waves grow calm and quiet.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 40 Book 4 · 50 of 54
Facing Hardship Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Thou must be like a promontory of the sea, against which though the waves beat continually, yet it both itself stands, and about it are those swelling waves stilled and quieted.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 40 Book 4 · 50 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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