Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Here's another thing to keep you from pride: you can't claim to be someone who has lived like a philosopher his whole life, or even from youth. Everyone knows this, especially you. You've done many things that go against that ideal. You've gotten off track. Now it will be hard to earn back the reputation of a philosopher. Your actual job and duties work against this too. So if you truly understand what really matters, don't worry about your reputation. Let it be enough that for whatever time you have left, you live according to your nature and true purpose.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 1 Book 8 · 1 of 67
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

This also, among other things, may serve to keep thee from vainglory; if thou shalt consider, that thou art now altogether incapable of the commendation of one, who all his life long, or from his youth at least, hath lived a philosopher's life. For both unto others, and to thyself especially, it is well known, that thou hast done many things contrary to that perfection of life. Thou hast therefore been confounded in thy course, and henceforth it will be hard for thee to recover the title and credit of a philosopher. And to it also is thy calling and profession repugnant. If therefore thou dost truly understand, what it is that is of moment indeed; as for thy fame and credit, take no thought or care for that: let it suffice thee if all the rest of thy life, be it more or less, thou shalt live as thy nature requireth, or according to the true and natural end of thy making.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 1 Book 8 · 1 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The universe made its plan before creating the world. Everything that happens now follows from that first decision. Or maybe the rational force that runs the universe still makes choices about specific things. If so, it surely cares most about rational creatures like us. Think about this often. It will bring you peace.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 44 Book 7 · 58 of 58
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

The nature of the universe did once certainly before it was created, whatsoever it hath done since, deliberate and so resolve upon the creation of the world. Now since that time, whatsoever it is, that is and happens in the world, is either but a consequent of that one and first deliberation: or if so be that this ruling rational part of the world, takes any thought and care of things particular, they are surely his reasonable and principal creatures, that are the proper object of his particular care and providence. This often thought upon, will much conduce to thy tranquillity.

Meditations, Book 7, Section 44 Book 7 · 58 of 58
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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