Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Think about the things of this world. If any of them truly belonged to us as human beings, then it would be wrong to reject them or oppose them. A person who can live without them wouldn't deserve praise. And if these things were truly good, then someone who gives them up willingly wouldn't be good either. But we see the opposite is true. The more someone pulls away from external status and wealth — or similar things — the better we think of them. And the better they handle losing these things, the more we respect them.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 14 Book 5 · 27 of 52
What Matters Most Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Again, concerning these outward worldly things, were it so that any of them did properly belong unto man, then would it not belong unto man, to condemn them and to stand in opposition with them. Neither would he be praiseworthy that can live without them; or he good, (if these were good indeed) who of his own accord doth deprive himself of any of them. But we see contrariwise, that the more a man doth withdraw himself from these wherein external pomp and greatness doth consist, or any other like these; or the better he doth bear with the loss of these, the better he is accounted.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 14 Book 5 · 27 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Nothing should be considered part of what makes a man truly a man unless it actually belongs to human nature itself. The outcomes of our plans are not requirements for being human. Human nature doesn't promise such things. The final results of our actions have nothing to do with what we are as people. Therefore, the purpose of a human life — the highest good that fulfills that purpose — cannot depend on achieving the outcomes we planned and intended.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 14 Book 5 · 26 of 52
Freedom & Control What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Nothing must be thought to belong to a man, which doth not belong unto him as he is a man. These, the event of purposes, are not things required in a man. The nature of man doth not profess any such things. The final ends and consummations of actions are nothing at all to a man's nature. The end therefore of a man, or the _summum bonum_ whereby that end is fulfilled, cannot consist in the consummation of actions purposed and intended.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 14 Book 5 · 26 of 52
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support