Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Reason and rational power are abilities that are complete in themselves. They drive their own actions. They start moving on their own. But they always aim straight toward whatever goal lies ahead of them. They go toward what can actually be done, whether or not it was their original target. This is why such actions are called 'straight achievements' — because they follow the most direct path.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 14 Book 5 · 25 of 52
Knowing Yourself Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Reason, and rational power, are faculties which content themselves with themselves, and their own proper operations. And as for their first inclination and motion, that they take from themselves. But their progress is right to the end and object, which is in their way, as it were, and lieth just before them: that is, which is feasible and possible, whether it be that which at the first they proposed to themselves, or no. For which reason also such actions are termed κατορθώσεις, to intimate the directness of the way, by which they are achieved.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 14 Book 5 · 25 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Everything I am made of is either form or matter. Nothing can destroy either of these completely — they cannot become nothing. I did not come from nothing to become a living being. Every part of me will change and become part of the whole world, and then in time become another part. This goes on forever. Through this kind of change, I became what I am. So did my parents, and their parents before them, going back forever. We can speak this way even though the world itself may run in cycles with set time periods.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 13 Book 5 · 24 of 52
Death & Mortality Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

All that I consist of, is either form or matter. No corruption can reduce either of these unto nothing: for neither did I of nothing become a subsistent creature. Every part of mine then will by mutation be disposed into a certain part of the whole world, and that in time into another part; and so _in infinitum;_ by which kind of mutation, I also became what I am, and so did they that begot me, and they before them, and so upwards _in infinitum_. For so we may be allowed to speak, though the age and government of the world, be to some certain periods of time limited, and confined.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 13 Book 5 · 24 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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