Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Take me and throw me wherever you want: it makes no difference to me. Wherever I land, I will still have my spirit within me working in my favor. My spirit finds peace and satisfaction both in staying steady and in doing the particular things that fit my nature.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 43 Book 8 · 48 of 67
Freedom & Control Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Take me and throw me where thou wilt: I am indifferent. For there also I shall have that spirit which is within me propitious; that is well pleased and fully contented both in that constant disposition, and with those particular actions, which to its own proper constitution are suitable and agreeable.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 43 Book 8 · 48 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Give yourself this present moment. People who chase fame after death don't realize something. The future generations will be just like the people alive now — the same people they can barely stand. And those future people will also die. But think about it clearly. If many people make noise about you or have opinions about you, what does that matter to you?

Meditations, Book 8, Section 42 Book 8 · 47 of 67
What Matters Most Death & Mortality
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

This time that is now present, bestow thou upon thyself. They that rather hunt for fame after death, do not consider, that those men that shall be hereafter, will be even such, as these whom now they can so hardly bear with. And besides they also will be mortal men. But to consider the thing in itself, if so many with so many voices, shall make such and such a sound, or shall have such and such an opinion concerning thee, what is it to thee?

Meditations, Book 8, Section 42 Book 8 · 47 of 67
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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