Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The universe has given us many abilities. But here's one worth noting: whatever gets in the universe's way, it finds a way to use. Even when something fights against the universe's plans, the universe turns it around and makes it serve its purpose. This unwilling cooperation becomes part of the whole whether it wants to or not. We can do the same thing. Whatever obstacles or problems we face in life, we can use them to help us reach our goals and find happiness.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 33 Book 8 · 39 of 67
Facing Hardship Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

As almost all her other faculties and properties the nature of the universe hath imparted unto every reasonable creature, so this in particular we have received from her, that as whatsoever doth oppose itself unto her, and doth withstand her in her purposes and intentions, she doth, though against its will and intention, bring it about to herself, to serve herself of it in the execution of her own destinated ends; and so by this though not intended co-operation of it with herself makes it part of herself whether it will or no. So may every reasonable creature, what crosses and impediments soever it meets with in the course of this mortal life, it may use them as fit and proper objects, to the furtherance of whatsoever it intended and absolutely proposed unto itself as its natural end and happiness.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 33 Book 8 · 39 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

But here is something to be joyful about. You can be united again. God has not given this gift to any other part of creation. Once something is separated and cut off, it cannot usually come back together again. But look at this goodness — how great it is! It values humans so much. At first, people were made so they didn't have to separate themselves from the whole unless they chose to. And once divided and cut off, God has arranged things so that if someone wants to, they can return. They can grow back together again and take their place as part of the whole, just like before.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 32 Book 8 · 38 of 67
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

However, herein is matter of joy and exultation, that thou mayst be united again. God hath not granted it unto any other part, that once separated and cut off, it might be reunited, and come together again. But, behold, that GOODNESS how great and immense it is! which hath so much esteemed MAN. As at first he was so made, that he needed not, except he would himself, have divided himself from the whole; so once divided and cut off, IT hath so provided and ordered it, that if he would himself, he might return, and grow together again, and be admitted into its former rank and place of a part, as he was before.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 32 Book 8 · 38 of 67
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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