Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Everything is made for a purpose, and naturally moves toward that purpose. Where something finds its purpose, there it finds its good. For rational beings like us, that good is society. We are made for community — this has been proven many times. Can anyone really doubt that lesser things serve greater things? That the best things are made to work together? Things with souls are better than things without souls. And among those with souls, rational beings are the best.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 15 Book 5 · 29 of 52
Human Nature What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Again, that which everything is made for, he is also made unto that, and cannot but naturally incline unto it. That which anything doth naturally incline unto, therein is his end. Wherein the end of everything doth consist, therein also doth his good and benefit consist. Society therefore is the proper good of a rational creature. For that we are made for society, it hath long since been demonstrated. Or can any man make any question of this, that whatsoever is naturally worse and inferior, is ordinarily subordinated to that which is better? and that those things that are best, are made one for another? And those things that have souls, are better than those that have none? and of those that have, those best that have rational souls?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 15 Book 5 · 29 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Your mind becomes what you think about most. The soul takes its color from your thoughts and imaginings. So dye it deep with constant good thinking. For example: wherever you live, you have the power to live well and be happy. You might live at the royal court — well, you can live well and be happy there too.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 15 Book 5 · 28 of 52
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Such as thy thoughts and ordinary cogitations are, such will thy mind be in time. For the soul doth as it were receive its tincture from the fancies, and imaginations. Dye it therefore and thoroughly soak it with the assiduity of these cogitations. As for example. Wheresoever thou mayest live, there it is in thy power to live well and happy. But thou mayest live at the Court, there then also mayest thou live well and happy.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 15 Book 5 · 28 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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