Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

If this is not my fault, and it doesn't come from any wrong I've done, and the public isn't harmed by it — why should it concern me? And how could the public really be harmed? Don't be swept away by assumptions and popular opinion. You should help others as best you can when the situation calls for it, even if they suffer losses in worldly matters. But don't think they are truly hurt by these things. That's not the right way to see it.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 29 Book 5 · 50 of 52
Freedom & Control What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

If this neither be my wicked act, nor an act anyways depending from any wickedness of mine, and that by it the public is not hurt; what doth it concern me? And wherein can the public be hurt? For thou must not altogether be carried by conceit and common opinion: as for help thou must afford that unto them after thy best ability, and as occasion shall require, though they sustain damage, but in these middle or worldly things; but however do not thou conceive that they are truly hurt thereby: for that is not right.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 29 Book 5 · 50 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

You can always succeed if you choose the right path. This means following a true method in both your thoughts and your actions. Two things are common to all souls — God's soul, human souls, and every thinking creature. First, nothing can stop them from doing their proper work. Second, their happiness comes from wanting to do right and actually doing right. This is where their desire ends.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 28 Book 5 · 49 of 52
Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Thou mayest always speed, if thou wilt but make choice of the right way; if in the course both of thine opinions and actions, thou wilt observe a true method. These two things be common to the souls, as of God, so of men, and of every reasonable creature, first that in their own proper work they cannot be hindered by anything: and secondly, that their happiness doth consist in a disposition to, and in the practice of righteousness; and that in these their desire is terminated.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 28 Book 5 · 49 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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