Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Everything that exists was made for a purpose. A horse has its purpose. A vine has its purpose. Why are you surprised by this? Even the sun would say, 'I was made for something.' Every god has its proper work to do. So what were you made for? Just to play around and have fun? Even basic common sense rejects that idea.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 17 Book 8 · 19 of 67
What Matters Most Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever is, was made for something: as a horse, a vine. Why wonderest thou? The sun itself will say of itself, I was made for something; and so hath every god its proper function. What then were then made for? to disport and delight thyself? See how even common sense and reason cannot brook it.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 17 Book 8 · 19 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever dies and falls, however and wherever it dies and falls, it cannot fall out of the world. Here it lives and changes. Here it dissolves back into its basic parts. These are the same elements that make up the world and that make up you. When these elements change, they don't complain. Why should you?

Meditations, Book 8, Section 16 Book 8 · 18 of 67
Death & Mortality Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever dieth and falleth, however and wheresoever it die and fall, it cannot fall out of the world, here it have its abode and change, here also shall it have its dissolution into its proper elements. The same are the world's elements, and the elements of which thou dost consist. And they when they are changed, they murmur not; why shouldest thou?

Meditations, Book 8, Section 16 Book 8 · 18 of 67
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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