Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Repentance is blaming yourself for neglecting something useful. Whatever is good is also useful. An honest, virtuous person values good things and treats them as important. But no honest, virtuous person ever regrets missing out on physical pleasure. So physical pleasure is neither good nor useful.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 9 Book 8 · 11 of 67
Knowing Yourself What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Repentance is an inward and self-reprehension for the neglect or omission of somewhat that was profitable. Now whatsoever is good, is also profitable, and it is the part of an honest virtuous man to set by it, and to make reckoning of it accordingly. But never did any honest virtuous man repent of the neglect or omission of any carnal pleasure: no carnal pleasure then is either good or profitable.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 9 Book 8 · 11 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Stop complaining about the troubles of court life. Don't do it in public around others, and don't do it in private to yourself either.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 8 Book 8 · 10 of 67
Knowing Yourself Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Forbear henceforth to complain of the trouble of a courtly life, either in public before others, or in private by thyself.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 8 Book 8 · 10 of 67
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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