Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Yes, but you say, "I must not expect a perfect world." If people improve even a little, I must be content. I should think much even of that small progress. But do any of them actually give up their false beliefs? How can I think they are improving? Without a real change of mind, all their outward show is just misery. They are enslaved minds that groan in private but pretend to follow reason and truth.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 28 Book 9 · 36 of 60
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Yea, but sayest thou, I must not expect a Plato's commonwealth. If they profit though never so little, I must be content; and think much even of that little progress. Doth then any of them forsake their former false opinions that I should think they profit? For without a change of opinions, alas! what is all that ostentation, but mere wretchedness of slavish minds, that groan privately, and yet would make a show of obedience to reason, and truth?

Meditations, Book 9, Section 28 Book 9 · 36 of 60
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
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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