Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The thing we should really ask is this: what kind of soul did Socrates have? Was he the type of person who cared about only one thing in life — treating people fairly and honoring the gods? Did he refuse to waste energy getting upset about other people's wickedness? Did he avoid going along with anyone's bad actions or bad plans, whether out of fear or friendship? When things happened to him that were beyond his control, did he stay calm instead of being shocked or finding them unbearable? And finally, did he keep his mind separate from his body's feelings and desires? We shouldn't think that nature has mixed the soul so completely with the body that the soul can't set its own boundaries and focus on its own purposes.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 37 Book 7 · 50 of 58
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

The thing therefore that we must inquire into, is this; what manner of soul Socrates had: whether his disposition was such; as that all that he stood upon, and sought after in this world, was barely this, that he might ever carry himself justly towards men, and holily towards the Gods. Neither vexing himself to no purpose at the wickedness of others, nor yet ever condescending to any man's evil fact, or evil intentions, through either fear, or engagement of friendship. Whether of those things that happened unto him by God's appointment, he neither did wonder at any when it did happen, or thought it intolerable in the trial of it. And lastly, whether he never did suffer his mind to sympathise with the senses, and affections of the body. For we must not think that Nature hath so mixed and tempered it with the body, as that she hath not power to circumscribe herself, and by herself to intend her own ends and occasions.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 37 Book 7 · 50 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

How do we know Socrates was really so great and special? Yes, he died nobly. Yes, he argued more cleverly with the Sophists. Yes, he endured the cold while keeping watch. Yes, when ordered to arrest innocent Salaminius, he refused with courage. But none of this proves anything. His enemies also said he walked the streets with too much pride and self-importance. We don't even know if that's true. And if it was true, we'd have to ask whether that was admirable or shameful.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 37 Book 7 · 49 of 58
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

How know we whether Socrates were so eminent indeed, and of so extraordinary a disposition? For that he died more gloriously, that he disputed with the Sophists more subtilty; that he watched in the frost more assiduously; that being commanded to fetch innocent Salaminius, he refused to do it more generously; all this will not serve. Nor that he walked in the streets, with much gravity and majesty, as was objected unto him by his adversaries: which nevertheless a man may well doubt of, whether it were so or no, or, which above all the rest, if so be that it were true, a man would well consider of, whether commendable, or dis-commendable.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 37 Book 7 · 49 of 58
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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