Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Accept the life and events that fate has given you. Love the people you are meant to live with — love them truly. A tool works well when it fits its purpose, even if the person who made it is gone. But with natural things, the power that shaped them still lives within them. We should respect this power more. If we live according to its purpose, we can think that all is well with us and matches our deepest wishes. This is how the universe itself finds happiness.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 35 Book 6 · 40 of 64
Freedom & Control Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Fit and accommodate thyself to that estate and to those occurrences, which by the destinies have been annexed unto thee; and love those men whom thy fate it is to live with; but love them truly. An instrument, a tool, an utensil, whatsoever it be, if it be fit for the purpose it was made for, it is as it should be though he perchance that made and fitted it, be out of sight and gone. But in things natural, that power which hath framed and fitted them, is and abideth within them still: for which reason she ought also the more to be respected, and we are the more obliged (if we may live and pass our time according to her purpose and intention) to think that all is well with us, and according to our own minds. After this manner also, and in this respect it is, that he that is all in all doth enjoy his happiness.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 35 Book 6 · 40 of 64
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The person who sees what exists now has seen all that ever was or ever will be. All things are the same kind. They are all alike. Think often about how everything in the world connects. Think about how all things relate to each other. Everything is folded together and wrapped up in everything else. This is how all things work well together. One thing follows from another. This happens through movement, through natural harmony, and through the unity of all things.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 34 Book 6 · 39 of 64
Calm Your Mind What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

He that seeth the things that are now, hath Seen all that either was ever, or ever shall be, for all things are of one kind; and all like one unto another. Meditate often upon the connection of all things in the world; and upon the mutual relation that they have one unto another. For all things are after a sort folded and involved one within another, and by these means all agree well together. For one thing is consequent unto another, by local motion, by natural conspiration and agreement, and by substantial union, or, reduction of all substances into one.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 34 Book 6 · 39 of 64
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support