Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

To live with the Gods. A person lives with the Gods when they always show them a soul that is content and pleased with whatever happens to them. They do whatever pleases that Spirit — the part of Jupiter that he has given to each person as their guide and ruler.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 21 Book 5 · 40 of 52
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To live with the Gods. He liveth with the Gods, who at all times affords unto them the spectacle of a soul, both contented and well pleased with whatsoever is afforded, or allotted unto her; and performing whatsoever is pleasing to that Spirit, whom (being part of himself) Jove hath appointed to every man as his overseer and governor.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 21 Book 5 · 40 of 52
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
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support