Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

You dream of a place 'where there are no loud troublemakers or prostitutes.' But why wait? You can live with that same peace right here, even surrounded by difficult people. If they really won't let you live according to your principles, you can choose to die rather than abandon what's right. But don't think of yourself as wronged. Just say, 'There's smoke here; I'll step outside.' What's the big deal? Until something forces me out, I'll stay free. No one can stop me from doing what I choose. And what I choose will always be guided by my nature as a thinking, social being.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 23 Book 5 · 42 of 52
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

'Where there shall neither roarer be, nor harlot.' Why so? As thou dost purpose to live, when thou hast retired thyself to some such place, where neither roarer nor harlot is: so mayest thou here. And if they will not suffer thee, then mayest thou leave thy life rather than thy calling, but so as one that doth not think himself anyways wronged. Only as one would say, Here is a smoke; I will out of it. And what a great matter is this! Now till some such thing force me out, I will continue free; neither shall any man hinder me to do what I will, and my will shall ever be by the proper nature of a reasonable and sociable creature, regulated and directed.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 23 Book 5 · 42 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Don't get angry with someone who has bad breath or smelly armpits. What can they do about it? That's how their breath naturally is. That's how their body smells. These things happen by necessity. 'But,' you say, 'the person has a brain and should know they're bothering people by standing close.' Well, you have a brain too. Use your reason to work on their reason. Point out the problem. Give them advice. If they listen, you've helped them. Then there's no reason to be angry anymore.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 22 Book 5 · 41 of 52
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Be not angry neither with him whose breath, neither with him whose arm holes, are offensive. What can he do? such is his breath naturally, and such are his arm holes; and from such, such an effect, and such a smell must of necessity proceed. 'O, but the man (sayest thou) hath understanding in him, and might of himself know, that he by standing near, cannot choose but offend.' And thou also (God bless thee!) hast understanding. Let thy reasonable faculty, work upon his reasonable faculty; show him his fault, admonish him. If he hearken unto thee, thou hast cured him, and there will be no more occasion of anger.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 22 Book 5 · 41 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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