Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The gods are immortal. For countless ages they have put up with sinners without getting angry. They not only tolerate these people but take care of them, making sure they have what they need. And yet you get so upset that you can't stand people anymore? You who exist for just a moment? You who are one of those sinners yourself? It's ridiculous. A person will excuse the vice and wickedness in himself — which he could actually control — but then try to stop it in others, which is impossible.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 41 Book 7 · 55 of 58
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Can the Gods, who are immortal, for the continuance of so many ages bear without indignation with such and so many sinners, as have ever been, yea not only so, but also take such care for them, that they want nothing; and dust thou so grievously take on, as one that could bear with them no longer; thou that art but for a moment of time? yea thou that art one of those sinners thyself? A very ridiculous thing it is, that any man should dispense with vice and wickedness in himself, which is in his power to restrain; and should go about to suppress it in others, which is altogether impossible.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 41 Book 7 · 55 of 58
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

A person reaches perfection in how they live when they spend every day as if it were their last day. They are never too heated up in their emotions, but also not so cold and numb that they feel nothing. And they are completely free from pretense.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 40 Book 7 · 54 of 58
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Then hath a man attained to the estate of perfection in his life and conversation, when he so spends every day, as if it were his last day: never hot and vehement in his affections, nor yet so cold and stupid as one that had no sense; and free from all manner of dissimulation.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 40 Book 7 · 54 of 58
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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