Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What harms the senses is bad for creatures that feel. What blocks desire and action is bad for creatures that feel. Just as with feeling creatures, whatever harms plants is bad for plant nature. In the same way, whatever blocks the mind is the real enemy of rational beings.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 39 Book 8 · 44 of 67
Knowing Yourself Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

That which is a hindrance of the senses, is an evil to the sensitive nature. That which is a hindrance of the appetitive and prosecutive faculty, is an evil to the sensitive nature. As of the sensitive, so of the vegetative constitution, whatsoever is a hindrance unto it, is also in that respect an evil unto the same. And so likewise, whatsoever is a hindrance unto the mind and understanding, must needs be the proper evil of the reasonable nature.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 39 Book 8 · 44 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

If you can just pull back your assumptions and opinions about what seems harmful and upsetting, you are as safe as you can be. You yourself? Who is that? Your reason. 'But I am not just reason.' Fine. Still, don't let your reason accept grief. If there's something in you that feels grieved, let that part — whatever it is — deal with its own grief, if it can.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 38 Book 8 · 43 of 67
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

If thou canst but withdraw conceit and opinion concerning that which may seem hurtful and offensive, thou thyself art as safe, as safe may be. Thou thyself? and who is that? Thy reason. 'Yea, but I am not reason.' Well, be it so. However, let not thy reason or understanding admit of grief, and if there be anything in thee that is grieved, let that, (whatsoever it be,) conceive its own grief, if it can.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 38 Book 8 · 43 of 67
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support