Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Don't you see how even people who work with their hands — though they might seem simple in other ways — stick closely to their craft? They can't bear to abandon it. Isn't it sad that an architect or a doctor cares more about the methods of their profession than a person cares about the proper course of human nature — reason, which we share with the gods?

Meditations, Book 6, Section 32 Book 6 · 37 of 64
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Dost thou not see, how even those that profess mechanic arts, though in some respect they be no better than mere idiots, yet they stick close to the course of their trade, neither can they find in their heart to decline from it: and is it not a grievous thing that an architect, or a physician shall respect the course and mysteries of their profession, more than a man the proper course and condition of his own nature, reason, which is common to him and to the Gods?

Meditations, Book 6, Section 32 Book 6 · 37 of 64
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
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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