Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Nature has its purpose in the ending and completion of things, just as much as in their beginning and continuation.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 18 Book 8 · 20 of 67
Death & Mortality What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Nature hath its end as well in the end and final consummation of anything that is, as in the begin-nine and continuation of it.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 18 Book 8 · 20 of 67
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
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support