Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Why should foolish, ignorant souls disturb what is both wise and learned? And what is this wise thing? The soul that understands the beginning and the end. The soul that truly knows the rational essence that flows through all existing things and through all time, staying always the same. It arranges and governs the universe in measured cycles.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 26 Book 5 · 46 of 52
Calm Your Mind Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Why should imprudent unlearned souls trouble that which is both learned, and prudent? And which is that that is so? she that understandeth the beginning and the end, and hath the true knowledge of that rational essence, that passeth through all things subsisting, and through all ages being ever the same, disposing and dispensing as it were this universe by certain periods of time.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 26 Book 5 · 46 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Remember all the things you have already gone through, and how much you have been able to endure. The story of your life is already full, and you have done your duty. Think of how many truly good things you have recognized. How many pleasures and pains you have dismissed as unimportant. How many supposedly glorious things you have seen through and rejected. How kindly and wisely you have treated difficult, unreasonable people.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 25 Book 5 · 45 of 52
Knowing Yourself Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Remember withal through how many things thou hast already passed, and how many thou hast been able to endure; so that now the legend of thy life is full, and thy charge is accomplished. Again, how many truly good things have certainly by thee been discerned? how many pleasures, how many pains hast thou passed over with contempt? how many things eternally glorious hast thou despised? towards how many perverse unreasonable men hast thou carried thyself kindly, and discreetly?

Meditations, Book 5, Section 25 Book 5 · 45 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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