Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Either teach them better if you can. If you can't, remember that patience was given to you for this very purpose — to bear with them kindly. The gods themselves are good to such people. They even help them with health, wealth, and honor sometimes. The gods are that gracious. Couldn't you be the same? What's stopping you?

Meditations, Book 9, Section 9 Book 9 · 16 of 60
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Either teach them better if it be in thy power; or if it be not, remember that for this use, to bear with them patiently, was mildness and goodness granted unto thee. The Gods themselves are good unto such; yea and in some things, (as in matter of health, of wealth, of honour,) are content often to further their endeavours: so good and gracious are they. And mightest thou not be so too? or, tell me, what doth hinder thee?

Meditations, Book 9, Section 9 Book 9 · 16 of 60
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Man, God, the world — everything in its own way bears fruit. All things have their proper season. We usually think of the word 'fruit' as belonging to vines and trees, but it applies more broadly. Reason bears two kinds of fruit: common fruit that benefits others, and personal fruit that it enjoys itself. Reason spreads naturally. What it creates in itself, it creates in others, and so multiplies.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 8 Book 9 · 15 of 60
Human Nature What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Man, God, the world, every one in their kind, bear some fruits. All things have their proper time to bear. Though by custom, the word itself is in a manner become proper unto the vine, and the like, yet is it so nevertheless, as we have said. As for reason, that beareth both common fruit for the use of others; and peculiar, which itself doth enjoy. Reason is of a diffusive nature, what itself is in itself, it begets in others, and so doth multiply.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 8 Book 9 · 15 of 60
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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