Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

This can always comfort me and keep me secure: my mind, which rules over everything, will not bring trouble on itself. It will not put itself in fear. It will not lead itself into harmful desires. If someone else has the power to make it fear or grieve, then let them use that power. But if my mind does not incline itself toward such feelings through some false belief, then there is nothing to fear. As for the body, why should I make the pain of my body into the pain of my mind? If the body can fear or complain, let it.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 13 Book 7 · 14 of 58
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

This may ever be my comfort and security: my understanding, that ruleth over all, will not of itself bring trouble and vexation upon itself. This I say; it will not put itself in any fear, it will not lead itself into any concupiscence. If it be in the power of any other to compel it to fear, or to grieve, it is free for him to use his power. But sure if itself do not of itself, through some false opinion or supposition incline itself to any such disposition; there is no fear. For as for the body, why should I make the grief of my body, to be the grief of my mind? If that itself can either fear or complain, let it.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 13 Book 7 · 14 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever anyone does or says, you must be good. Not for their sake, but because it's your nature. It's like gold or an emerald or purple saying to itself: 'Whatever anyone does or says, I must still be an emerald. I must keep my color.'

Meditations, Book 7, Section 12 Book 7 · 13 of 58
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever any man either doth or saith, thou must be good; not for any man's sake, but for thine own nature's sake; as if either gold, or the emerald, or purple, should ever be saying to themselves, Whatsoever any man either doth or saith, I must still be an emerald, and I must keep my colour.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 12 Book 7 · 13 of 58
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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