Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Evil in general does not harm the world. Individual acts of evil do not harm others. They only hurt the person who commits them. And even then, that person has been given a great gift. Whenever they truly want to change, they can free themselves from it right away.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 53 Book 8 · 60 of 67
Doing The Right Thing Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Wickedness in general doth not hurt the world. Particular wickedness doth not hurt any other: only unto him it is hurtful, whosoever he be that offends, unto whom in great favour and mercy it is granted, that whensoever he himself shall but first desire it, he may be presently delivered of it.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 53 Book 8 · 60 of 67
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Not only should we breathe the same air that surrounds us all. We should also share the same mind — connect our thoughts with the rational force that flows through everything. This universal reason exists everywhere and moves through all things, just like air does. We can draw it into ourselves if we know how.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 52 Book 8 · 59 of 67
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Not only now henceforth to have a common breath, or to hold correspondency of breath, with that air, that compasseth us about; but to have a common mind, or to hold correspondency of mind also with that rational substance, which compasseth all things. For, that also is of itself, and of its own nature (if a man can but draw it in as he should) everywhere diffused; and passeth through all things, no less than the air doth, if a man can but suck it in.

Meditations, Book 8, Section 52 Book 8 · 59 of 67
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support