Meditations, Book 7, Section 1

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What is wickedness? It is something you have seen many times before in the world. Whenever something happens that might upset you, remember this: you have already seen this kind of thing often. Look around you, high and low. You will find the same things everywhere. The same things that fill old stories, recent stories, and new stories. The same things that fill towns and houses. Nothing is new. Everything that exists is both common and short-lived.

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What is wickedness? It is that which many time and often thou hast already seen and known in the world. And so oft as anything doth happen that might otherwise trouble thee, let this memento presently come to thy mind, that it is that which thou hast already often Seen and known. Generally, above and below, thou shalt find but the same things. The very same things whereof ancient stories, middle age stories, and fresh stories are full whereof towns are full, and houses full. There is nothing that is new. All things that are, are both usual and of little continuance.