Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Don't let the ruling part of your mind be pushed around by physical pain or pleasure. Keep it separate from these feelings. Let those sensations stay in the body where they belong. But if they do spill over into your thoughts — which happens since body and mind are connected — don't fight the feelings themselves. That's natural. Just don't let your mind add judgments about whether these sensations are good or bad. The pain or pleasure in your flesh means nothing to your true self. If you can avoid judging them, you'll be fine.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 20 Book 5 · 39 of 52
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Let not that chief commanding part of thy soul be ever subject to any variation through any corporal either pain or pleasure, neither suffer it to be mixed with these, but let it both circumscribe itself, and confine those affections to their own proper parts and members. But if at any time they do reflect and rebound upon the mind and understanding (as in an united and compacted body it must needs;) then must thou not go about to resist sense and feeling, it being natural. However let not thy understanding to this natural sense and feeling, which whether unto our flesh pleasant or painful, is unto us nothing properly, add an opinion of either good or bad and all is well.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 20 Book 5 · 39 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

When someone wrongs me, that's their problem. They are responsible for their own choices and actions. Meanwhile, I have what nature intended me to have. And I do what my own nature tells me to do.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 19 Book 5 · 38 of 52
Freedom & Control Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Again: another doth trespass against me. Let him look to that. He is master of his own disposition, and of his own operation. I for my part am in the meantime in possession of as much, as the common nature would have me to possess: and that which mine own nature would have me do, I do.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 19 Book 5 · 38 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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