Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Certain things must happen because of certain causes. Someone who doesn't want these things to happen is like someone who wants a fig tree to grow without sap. Remember this: very soon, both you and he will be dead. And not long after that, even your names will be forgotten.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 6 Book 4 · 10 of 54
Death & Mortality Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Such and such things, from such and such causes, must of necessity proceed. He that would not have such things to happen, is as he that would have the fig-tree grow without any sap or moisture. In sum, remember this, that within a very little while, both thou and he shall both be dead, and after a little while more, not so much as your names and memories shall be remaining.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 6 Book 4 · 10 of 54
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Birth is a mystery of nature's wisdom. So is death. Both mix elements together, then break them apart again into the same elements. No one should be ashamed of this. It's part of the natural sequence of events that every thinking creature goes through. It fits with who we are as human beings.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 5 Book 4 · 9 of 54
Death & Mortality Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

As generation is, so also death, a secret of nature's wisdom: a mixture of elements, resolved into the same elements again, a thing surely which no man ought to be ashamed of: in a series of other fatal events and consequences, which a rational creature is subject unto, not improper or incongruous, nor contrary to the natural and proper constitution of man himself.

Meditations, Book 4, Section 5 Book 4 · 9 of 54
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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