Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

From Plato: 'A person whose mind has true greatness, who has made a habit of thinking about all of time and all things in general — do you think this mortal life can seem like a big deal to him? It's not possible, he answered. Then such a person won't consider death a terrible thing either? Not at all.'

Meditations, Book 7, Section 23 Book 7 · 28 of 58
Death & Mortality What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Out of Plato. 'He then whose mind is endowed with true magnanimity, who hath accustomed himself to the contemplation both of all times, and of all things in general; can this mortal life (thinkest thou) seem any great matter unto him? It is not possible, answered he. Then neither will such a one account death a grievous thing? By no means.'

Meditations, Book 7, Section 23 Book 7 · 28 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

As for praise and blame, look at the minds of those who give it. See what state they are in. Notice what they run from and what they chase after. Just like at the beach, where new sand constantly covers up whatever was there before, so in life all past things are quickly buried by what comes next.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 22 Book 7 · 27 of 58
What Matters Most Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

As for praise and commendation, view their mind and understanding, what estate they are in; what kind of things they fly, and what things they seek after: and that as in the seaside, whatsoever was before to be seen, is by the continual succession of new heaps of sand cast up one upon another, soon hid and covered; so in this life, all former things by those which immediately succeed.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 22 Book 7 · 27 of 58
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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