Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

You can tell what things are truly good from this test. When someone hears real goods mentioned — wisdom, self-control, justice, courage — they feel satisfied. The word 'good' fits perfectly. They don't need to hear more. But when people hear the things that most others call good, they keep listening for something else. They want more.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 12 Book 5 · 22 of 52
What Matters Most Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What those things are in themselves, which by the greatest part are esteemed good, thou mayest gather even from this. For if a man shall hear things mentioned as good, which are really good indeed, such as are prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude, after so much heard and conceived, he cannot endure to hear of any more, for the word good is properly spoken of them. But as for those which by the vulgar are esteemed good, if he shall hear them mentioned as good, he doth hearken for more.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 12 Book 5 · 22 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What am I doing with my soul right now? You need to ask yourself this question regularly. What is my rational mind focused on at this moment? Whose soul do I have? A child's soul? A young person's? A woman's? A tyrant's? The soul of some animal or wild beast?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 11 Book 5 · 21 of 52
Knowing Yourself Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What is the use that now at this present I make of my soul? Thus from time to time and upon all occasions thou must put this question to thyself; what is now that part of mine which they call the rational mistress part, employed about? Whose soul do I now properly possess? a child's? or a youth's? a woman's? or a tyrant's? some brute, or some wild beast's soul?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 11 Book 5 · 21 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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