Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Think about this: Someone who doesn't even know what happened to them can stay calm. Someone who just wants to look brave can bear it without complaint. Is it really so hard to accept that ignorance or vanity can do what true wisdom should do?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 16 Book 5 · 31 of 52
Knowing Yourself Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

And truly, if either he that is ignorant that such a thing hath happened unto him, or he that is ambitious to be commended for his magnanimity, can be patient, and is not grieved: is it not a grievous thing, that either ignorance, or a vain desire to please and to be commended, should be more powerful and effectual than true prudence?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 16 Book 5 · 31 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Wanting impossible things is madness. But it is impossible for bad people not to do bad things. Nothing happens to any person that is not natural to them. The same things happen to other people too.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 16 Book 5 · 30 of 52
Human Nature Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To desire things impossible is the part of a mad man. But it is a thing impossible, that wicked man should not commit some such things. Neither doth anything happen to any man, which in the ordinary course of nature as natural unto him doth not happen. Again, the same things happen unto others also.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 16 Book 5 · 30 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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