Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

A person's true joy comes from doing what humans are meant to do. What belongs to us most is this: be kind to other people, ignore bodily desires, see through false thoughts, and think about the universe and what happens in it. When you think this way, notice three things. First, look at what seems to cause events. Second, remember the original cause - God, who starts everything that happens. Third, think about the people around you and how this knowledge can help them.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 25 Book 8 · 29 of 67
Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

The true joy of a man, is to do that which properly belongs unto a man. That which is most proper unto a man, is, first, to be kindly affected towards them that are of the same kind and nature as he is himself to contemn all sensual motions and appetites, to discern rightly all plausible fancies and imaginations, to contemplate the nature of the universe; both it, and things that are done in it. In which kind of contemplation three several relations are to be observed The first, to the apparent secondary cause. The Second to the first original cause, God, from whom originally proceeds whatsoever doth happen in the world. The third and last, to them that we live and converse with: what use may be made of it, to their use and benefit.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 25 Book 8 · 29 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Lucilla buried Verus, then others buried Lucilla. Secunda buried Maximus, then Secunda herself was buried. Epitynchanus buried Diotimus, then Epitynchanus was buried. Antoninus Pius buried his wife Faustina, then Antoninus himself died. This is how the world works. First Celer buried Adrianus, then Adrianus himself died. And what about those stern, serious men? The ones who predicted other people's deaths? The ones who were so proud and important — where are they now? I mean men like Charax, Demetrius the philosopher, and Eudaemon. They all lasted just one day in the grand scheme of things. All dead and gone long ago. Some were forgotten as soon as they died. Others became legends for a while. Even the legends are now forgotten. Remember this: whatever you are made of will soon scatter. Your life and breath — your soul — will either be nothing or will move to some other place.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 24 Book 8 · 28 of 67
Death & Mortality What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Lucilla buried Verus; then was Lucilla herself buried by others. So Secunda Maximus, then Secunda herself. So Epitynchanus, Diotimus; then Epitynchanus himself. So Antoninus Pius, Faustina his wife; then Antoninus himself. This is the course of the world. First Celer, Adrianus; then Adrianus himself. And those austere ones; those that foretold other men's deaths; those that were so proud and stately, where are they now? Those austere ones I mean, such as were Charax, and Demetrius the Platonic, and Eudaemon, and others like unto those. They were all but for one day; all dead and gone long since. Some of them no sooner dead, than forgotten. Others soon turned into fables. Of others, even that which was fabulous, is now long since forgotten. This thereafter thou must remember, that whatsoever thou art compounded of, shall soon be dispersed, and that thy life and breath, or thy soul, shall either be no more or shall ranslated (sp.), and appointed to some certain place and station.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 24 Book 8 · 28 of 67
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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