Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

If someone asked you how to spell the word 'Antoninus,' you would focus and say each letter in order. If they started arguing with you about it, would you argue back? Or would you calmly continue until you had spelled out every letter? Remember this when facing your duties. Every task has its steps, like letters in a word. Stay calm and work through each step in order. Don't fight with people who want to pick fights with you.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 24 Book 6 · 27 of 64
Calm Your Mind Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

if any should put this question unto thee, how this word Antoninus is written, wouldst thou not presently fix thine intention upon it, and utter out in order every letter of it? And if any shall begin to gainsay thee, and quarrel with thee about it; wilt thou quarrel with him again, or rather go on meekly as thou hast begun, until thou hast numbered out every letter? Here then likewise remember, that every duty that belongs unto a man doth consist of some certain letters or numbers as it were, to which without any noise or tumult keeping thyself thou must orderly proceed to thy proposed end, forbearing to quarrel with him that would quarrel and fall out with thee.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 24 Book 6 · 27 of 64
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Think about how many different things happen in each of us at any moment — things in our bodies and our minds. When you realize this, you won't be surprised that many more things, or really all things, can exist at the same time in that one great whole we call the world.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 23 Book 6 · 26 of 64
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Consider how many different things, whether they concern our bodies, or our souls, in a moment of time come to pass in every one of us, and so thou wilt not wonder if many more things or rather all things that are done, can at one time subsist, and coexist in that both one and general, which we call the world.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 23 Book 6 · 26 of 64
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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