Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

From Plato. 'My answer, full of justice, should be this: You are wrong if you think a man of any worth should worry about life or death as great dangers. He should care only about one thing: examining his own actions. Are they just or unjust? Are they the actions of a good man or a wicked man? Here is the truth, men of Athens. Whatever position a man has chosen for himself, thinking it best, or whatever position lawful authority has placed him in — there he should stay. He should fear neither death nor anything else as much as he fears doing something shameful or wrong.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 26 Book 7 · 31 of 58
Doing The Right Thing Death & Mortality
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Out of Plato. 'My answer, full of justice and equity, should be this: Thy speech is not right, O man! if thou supposest that he that is of any worth at all, should apprehend either life or death, as a matter of great hazard and danger; and should not make this rather his only care, to examine his own actions, whether just or unjust: whether actions of a good, or of a wicked man, &c. For thus in very truth stands the case, O ye men of Athens. What place or station soever a man either hath chosen to himself, judging it best for himself; or is by lawful authority put and settled in, therein do I think (all appearance of danger notwithstanding) that he should continue, as one who feareth neither death, nor anything else, so much as he feareth to commit anything that is vicious and shameful, &c.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 26 Book 7 · 31 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

From various poets and comic writers: 'Getting angry at the things that happen to you won't help much. Those things can't feel your anger anyway. You'll just make yourself look foolish to both gods and people. Our lives are harvested like ripe grain—some stalks are still standing while others have fallen. But if the gods neglect me and my children, there must be some reason for it. As long as I have right and justice on my side... Don't grieve with others, don't shake with fear.'

Meditations, Book 7, Section 25 Book 7 · 30 of 58
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Out of several poets and comics. 'It will but little avail thee, to turn thine anger and indignation upon the things themselves that have fallen across unto thee. For as for them, they are not sensible of it, &c. Thou shalt but make thyself a laughing-stock; both unto the Gods and men, &c. Our life is reaped like a ripe ear of corn; one is yet standing and another is down, &c. But if so be that I and my children be neglected by the gods, there is some reason even for that, &c. As long as right and equity is of my side, &c. Not to lament with them, not to tremble, &c.'

Meditations, Book 7, Section 25 Book 7 · 30 of 58
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support