Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

As long as the foot does what it's meant to do, and the hand does what it's meant to do, their work is natural. Same with a person — as long as he does what humans are meant to do, his work can't go against nature. And if it doesn't go against nature, then it can't harm him. But if happiness really came from pleasure, then why do thieves, corrupt people, murderers, and tyrants get so much pleasure?

Meditations, Book 6, Section 31 Book 6 · 36 of 64
Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

As long as the foot doth that which belongeth unto it to do, and the hand that which belongs unto it, their labour, whatsoever it be, is not unnatural. So a man as long as he doth that which is proper unto a man, his labour cannot be against nature; and if it be not against nature, then neither is it hurtful unto him. But if it were so that happiness did consist in pleasure: how came notorious robbers, impure abominable livers, parricides, and tyrants, in so large a measure to have their part of pleasures?

Meditations, Book 6, Section 31 Book 6 · 36 of 64
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

I am made of body and mind. To my body, all things are the same — it cannot tell one thing from another or prefer one over another. As for my mind, anything outside its own work doesn't matter to it. And for its own work, that depends entirely on the mind itself. The mind only concerns itself with what is happening right now. Past and future actions are also indifferent to it in this present moment.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 30 Book 6 · 35 of 64
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

I consist of body and soul. Unto my body all things are indifferent, for of itself it cannot affect one thing more than another with apprehension of any difference; as for my mind, all things which are not within the verge of her own operation, are indifferent unto her, and for her own operations, those altogether depend of her; neither does she busy herself about any, but those that are present; for as for future and past operations, those also are now at this present indifferent unto her.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 30 Book 6 · 35 of 64
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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