Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The universe is like a craftsman working with wax. It might shape a horse, then destroy that form and reshape the same material into a tree. Then it shapes that into a person, then into something else. Each form lasts only a short time. If it's not painful for parts to come together and form a body, why should it be painful when they separate?

Meditations, Book 7, Section 17 Book 7 · 20 of 58
Death & Mortality Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

The nature of the universe, of the common substance of all things as it were of so much wax hath now perchance formed a horse; and then, destroying that figure, hath new tempered and fashioned the matter of it into the form and substance of a tree: then that again into the form and substance of a man: and then that again into some other. Now every one of these doth subsist but for a very little while. As for dissolution, if it be no grievous thing to the chest or trunk, to be joined together; why should it be more grievous to be put asunder?

Meditations, Book 7, Section 17 Book 7 · 20 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Of all my thoughts and worries, only one thing matters: that I do nothing against human nature. Nothing wrong in what I do, how I do it, or when I do it. Soon you will forget everything. Soon everyone will forget you too. While you are here, focus on what makes you most human. Love even those who wrong you. Remember they are your family. They hurt you through ignorance, not knowing what they do. Soon both of you will be gone. Most important: they cannot actually harm you. Your mind stays clear. Your character stays whole.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 16 Book 7 · 19 of 58
Doing The Right Thing Human Nature Death & Mortality
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Of all my thoughts and cares, one only thing shall be the object, that I myself do nothing which to the proper constitution of man, (either in regard of the thing itself, or in regard of the manner, or of the time of doing,) is contrary. The time when thou shalt have forgotten all things, is at hand. And that time also is at hand, when thou thyself shalt be forgotten by all. Whilst thou art, apply thyself to that especially which unto man as he is a mart, is most proper and agreeable, and that is, for a man even to love them that transgress against him. This shall be, if at the same time that any such thing doth happen, thou call to mind, that they are thy kinsmen; that it is through ignorance and against their wills that they sin; and that within a very short while after, both thou and he shall be no more. But above all things, that he hath not done thee any hurt; for that by him thy mind and understanding is not made worse or more vile than it was before.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 16 Book 7 · 19 of 58
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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