Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

If the gods have planned my life in detail, I must accept their plan. They are wise and careful. It's hard to imagine a god being foolish. And why would they want to hurt me? What good would that do them or the universe they care for? But maybe they haven't planned my life specifically. Maybe they just planned the big picture. Either way, whatever happens to me as part of their larger plan, I should welcome it and accept it.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 39 Book 6 · 46 of 64
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

If so be that the Gods have deliberated in particular of those things that should happen unto me, I must stand to their deliberation, as discrete and wise. For that a God should be an imprudent God, is a thing hard even to conceive: and why should they resolve to do me hurt? for what profit either unto them or the universe (which they specially take care for) could arise from it? But if so be that they have not deliberated of me in particular, certainly they have of the whole in general, and those things which in consequence and coherence of this general deliberation happen unto me in particular, I am bound to embrace and accept of.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 39 Book 6 · 46 of 64
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Does the sun try to do what rain is supposed to do? Or does Aesculapius try to do what belongs to the earth? What about each of the stars? They are all different from each other. They each have their own jobs and purposes. But don't they all work together toward one goal?

Meditations, Book 6, Section 38 Book 6 · 45 of 64
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Doth either the sun take upon him to do that which belongs to the rain? or his son Aesculapius that, which unto the earth doth properly belong? How is it with every one of the stars in particular? Though they all differ one from another, and have their several charges and functions by themselves, do they not all nevertheless concur and co-operate to one end?

Meditations, Book 6, Section 38 Book 6 · 45 of 64
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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