Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Let the things that nature has decided happen be like medicine for you. Accept whatever happens, even if it seems harsh and unpleasant. Think of it as helping the health of the whole universe and the prosperity of God. Whatever happens, it would not have been produced if it did not serve the good of the universe. No particular nature creates anything that does not fit with what it is meant to govern.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 8 Book 5 · 14 of 52
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Let the fulfilling and accomplishment of those things which the common nature hath determined, be unto thee as thy health. Accept then, and be pleased with whatsoever doth happen, though otherwise harsh and un-pleasing, as tending to that end, to the health and welfare of the universe, and to Jove's happiness and prosperity. For this whatsoever it be, should not have been produced, had it not conduced to the good of the universe. For neither doth any ordinary particular nature bring anything to pass, that is not to whatsoever is within the sphere of its own proper administration and government agreeable and subordinate.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 8 Book 5 · 14 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The whole world is made of all its parts working together as one complete body. In the same way, destiny is made of all particular causes and events working as one general destiny. Even simple people understand this. They say, 'This was his fate' or 'This was meant to happen to him.' So whatever fate brings to each person is specifically meant for them, just like a doctor prescribes specific treatments for each patient. We should accept what fate brings us the same way we accept what doctors prescribe. Those medicines often taste bitter or hurt, but we take them anyway because we hope to get better.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 8 Book 5 · 13 of 52
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

And as the whole world is made up of all the particular bodies of the world, one perfect and complete body, of the same nature that particular bodies; so is the destiny of particular causes and events one general one, of the same nature that particular causes are. What I now say, even they that are mere idiots are not ignorant of: for they say commonly τοῦτο ἔφερεν ἀυτῷ, that is, This his destiny hath brought upon him. This therefore is by the fates properly and particularly brought upon this, as that unto this in particular is by the physician prescribed. These therefore let us accept of in like manner, as we do those that are prescribed unto us our physicians. For them also in themselves shall We find to contain many harsh things, but we nevertheless, in hope of health, and recovery, accept of them.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 8 Book 5 · 13 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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