Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

And these politicians who think they are the only true philosophers in the world — so full of fake seriousness, or claiming to love virtue — what wretches they really are! How vile and contemptible they are! Oh man, what a fuss you make! Do what your nature requires now. Make up your mind, if you can. Don't worry whether anyone will know about it or not.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 28 Book 9 · 35 of 60
Doing The Right Thing Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

And these your professed politicians, the only true practical philosophers of the world, (as they think of themselves) so full of affected gravity, or such professed lovers of virtue and honesty, what wretches be they in very deed; how vile and contemptible in themselves? O man! what ado doest thou keep? Do what thy nature doth now require. Resolve upon it, if thou mayest: and take no thought, whether anybody shall know it or no.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 28 Book 9 · 35 of 60
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Soon the earth will cover us all. Then the earth itself will change. Time will roll from one age to another in endless cycles. Anyone who thinks about these constant changes — how quickly everything shifts and passes — how can they not look down on worldly things? The force that drives the universe is like a rushing river. It sweeps everything away.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 27 Book 9 · 34 of 60
Death & Mortality What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Within a while the earth shall cover us all, and then she herself shall have her change. And then the course will be, from one period of eternity unto another, and so a perpetual eternity. Now can any man that shall consider with himself in his mind the several rollings or successions of so many changes and alterations, and the swiftness of all these rulings; can he otherwise but contemn in his heart and despise all worldly things? The cause of the universe is as it were a strong torrent, it carrieth all away.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 27 Book 9 · 34 of 60
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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