Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Nothing can happen to you that isn't part of being human. Just like nothing happens to an ox, a vine, or a stone that isn't natural to what they are. Everything gets what fits its nature. So if nothing can happen that isn't normal and natural, why are you upset? The common nature of all things wouldn't burden anything with more than it can bear.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 45 Book 8 · 50 of 67
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Nothing can happen unto thee, which is not incidental unto thee, as thou art a man. As nothing can happen either to an ox, a vine, or to a stone, which is not incidental unto them; unto every one in his own kind. If therefore nothing can happen unto anything, which is not both usual and natural; why art thou displeased? Sure the common nature of all would not bring anything upon any, that were intolerable.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 45 Book 8 · 50 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Is this thing really worth it? Is it worth letting my soul suffer and become worse than it was? Worth becoming dejected, confused, or afraid? What could possibly be so important that you would value it this much?

Meditations, Book 8, Section 44 Book 8 · 49 of 67
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Is this then a thing of that worth, that for it my soul should suffer, and become worse than it was? as either basely dejected, or disordinately affected, or confounded within itself, or terrified? What can there be, that thou shouldest so much esteem?

Meditations, Book 8, Section 44 Book 8 · 49 of 67
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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