Meditations, Book 7, Section 3

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What most people think would make them happiest — what they would choose above all else if the gods granted it after death — you can give yourself while you're still alive: to live again. Look at the world's things again, just as you've already seen them. What else is living again? Public shows and ceremonies full of pomp and vanity. Stage plays. Flocks and herds. Fights and arguments. A bone thrown to a pack of hungry dogs. Bait for greedy fish. The painful, endless burden-carrying of miserable ants. The scurrying back and forth of frightened mice. Little puppets pulled up and down by wires and strings. These are the world's objects. Among all these you must stand firm, gently disposed, and free from anger. Keep this right understanding: as valuable as the things a person pursues, so is that person's worth.

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

That which most men would think themselves most happy for, and would prefer before all things, if the Gods would grant it unto them after their deaths, thou mayst whilst thou livest grant unto thyself; to live again. See the things of the world again, as thou hast already seen them. For what is it else to live again? Public shows and solemnities with much pomp and vanity, stage plays, flocks and herds; conflicts and contentions: a bone thrown to a company of hungry curs; a bait for greedy fishes; the painfulness, and continual burden-bearing of wretched ants, the running to and fro of terrified mice: little puppets drawn up and down with wires and nerves: these be the objects of the world among all these thou must stand steadfast, meekly affected, and free from all manner of indignation; with this right ratiocination and apprehension; that as the worth is of those things which a man doth affect, so is in very deed every man's worth more or less.