Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

When you don't want to get out of bed in the morning, remind yourself: I'm getting up to do human work. Am I really unwilling to do what I was born for? Was I made to lie here enjoying the warmth of my bed? 'But this feels so good.' Is that why you were born — just to feel good? Weren't you made to be active and useful? Look at everything else in the world. Every tree and plant, every sparrow and ant, every spider and bee — they all do their part to keep the world running. Won't you do what humans are supposed to do? Won't you get moving and do what your nature requires?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 1 Book 5 · 1 of 52
Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

In the morning when thou findest thyself unwilling to rise, consider with thyself presently, it is to go about a man's work that I am stirred up. Am I then yet unwilling to go about that, for which I myself was born and brought forth into this world? Or was I made for this, to lay me down, and make much of myself in a warm bed? 'O but this is pleasing.' And was it then for this that thou wert born, that thou mightest enjoy pleasure? Was it not in very truth for this, that thou mightest always be busy and in action? Seest thou not how all things in the world besides, how every tree md plant, how sparrows and ants, spiders and bees: how all in their kind are intent as it were orderly to perform whatsoever (towards the preservation of this orderly universe) naturally doth become and belong unto thin? And wilt not thou do that, which belongs unto a man to do? Wilt not thou run to do that, which thy nature doth require?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 1 Book 5 · 1 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Always take the most direct path. The most direct path is the one that follows nature. This means that in everything you say and do, you follow what is most sound and right. This approach will free you from all trouble, conflict, pretending, and showing off.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 43 Book 4 · 54 of 54
Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Let thy course ever be the most compendious way. The most compendious, is that which is according to nature: that is, in all both words and deeds, ever to follow that which is most sound and perfect. For such a resolution will free a man from all trouble, strife, dissembling, and ostentation.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 43 Book 4 · 54 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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