Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever happens, I have the power to think about it correctly. If I can do this, why am I upset? Things beyond my understanding don't affect my mind at all. My thoughts are the only thing that truly concerns me. Keep this in mind, and you'll be fine.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 2 Book 7 · 3 of 58
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

It is in my power concerning this thing that is happened, what soever it be, to conceit that which is right and true. If it be, why then am I troubled? Those things that are without my understanding, are nothing to it at all: and that is it only, which doth properly concern me. Be always in this mind, and thou wilt be right.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 2 Book 7 · 3 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What is there to fear that your beliefs and principles will die inside you and lose their power to make you happy? As long as you keep the thoughts and mental pictures they depend on fresh and alive — which is in your power to do — they will stay strong.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 2 Book 7 · 2 of 58
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What fear is there that thy dogmata, or philosophical resolutions and conclusions, should become dead in thee, and lose their proper power and efficacy to make thee live happy, as long as those proper and correlative fancies, and representations of things on which they mutually depend (which continually to stir up and revive is in thy power,) are still kept fresh and alive?

Meditations, Book 7, Section 2 Book 7 · 2 of 58
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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