Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

When difficult things happen and you feel upset or troubled, return to your calm center as quickly as you can. Don't stay out of tune longer than necessary. This way you'll be better able to play your part next time and keep the harmony. Make this a habit — whenever you get thrown off, immediately come back to yourself and start again.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 9 Book 6 · 10 of 64
Calm Your Mind Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whensoever by some present hard occurrences thou art constrained to be in some sort troubled and vexed, return unto thyself as soon as may be, and be not out of tune longer than thou must needs. For so shalt thou be the better able to keep thy part another time, and to maintain the harmony, if thou dost use thyself to this continually; once out, presently to have recourse unto it, and to begin again.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 9 Book 6 · 10 of 64
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Either this universe is just a confused mess of things that will scatter apart in time, or it's an ordered whole governed by Providence. If it's the first, why would I want to stay longer in this random chaos? Why care about anything except returning to dust as quickly as possible? Why trouble myself trying to please the gods? Whatever I do, everything falls apart in the end anyway. But if the universe has order and purpose, then my reverence isn't pointless. Then I can be calm and patient, trusting in the one who governs everything.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 8 Book 6 · 9 of 64
Calm Your Mind What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Either this universe is a mere confused mass, and an intricate context of things, which shall in time be scattered and dispersed again: or it is an union consisting of order, and administered by Providence. If the first, why should I desire to continue any longer in this fortuit confusion and commixtion? or why should I take care for anything else, but that as soon as may be I may be earth again? And why should I trouble myself any more whilst I seek to please the Gods? Whatsoever I do, dispersion is my end, and will come upon me whether I will or no. But if the latter be, then am not I religious in vain; then will I be quiet and patient, and put my trust in Him, who is the Governor of all.

Meditations, Book 6, Section 8 Book 6 · 9 of 64
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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