Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Among all unreasonable creatures, there is only one unreasonable soul. Among all reasonable beings, there is only one reasonable soul, shared by all of us. Just as there is only one earth for all earthly things, and one light we all see by, and one air we all breathe. Whatever shares something common naturally moves toward what it belongs to, being the same kind and nature. Earthly things fall down to the common earth. Liquids want to flow together. Airy things want to join together too. Without some barrier or force holding them apart, they cannot easily be kept separate.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 7 Book 9 · 11 of 60
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Of all unreasonable creatures, there is but one unreasonable soul; and of all that are reasonable, but one reasonable soul, divided betwixt them all. As of all earthly things there is but one earth, and but one light that we see by; and but one air that we breathe in, as many as either breathe or see. Now whatsoever partakes of some common thing, naturally affects and inclines unto that whereof it is part, being of one kind and nature with it. Whatsoever is earthly, presseth downwards to the common earth. Whatsoever is liquid, would flow together. And whatsoever is airy, would be together likewise. So that without some obstacle, and some kind of violence, they cannot well be kept asunder.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 7 Book 9 · 11 of 60
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Clear away illusions. Think carefully. Control your desires. Keep your mind free and your own.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 6 Book 9 · 10 of 60
Calm Your Mind Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To wipe away fancy, to use deliberation, to quench concupiscence, to keep the mind free to herself.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 6 Book 9 · 10 of 60
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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