Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

The sum of it all: whatever happens to you that comes from God, accept it willingly. Whatever you do that comes from yourself, do it justly. This means having no other goal in your decisions and actions than to help others. This is what you are bound to do by your nature as a human being.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 29 Book 9 · 40 of 60
Doing The Right Thing Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

The sum then of all; whatsoever doth happen unto thee, whereof God is the cause, to accept it contentedly: whatsoever thou doest, whereof thou thyself art the cause, to do it justly: which will be, if both in thy resolution and in thy action thou have no further end, than to do good unto others, as being that, which by thy natural constitution, as a man, thou art bound unto.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 29 Book 9 · 40 of 60
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Think about the lives of people who lived long ago, and those who will live in the future. Think about all the different nations around the world right now. Consider how many people have never even heard your name. How many will soon forget it. How many who praise you today will speak badly of you tomorrow. So fame, honor, and everything else this world offers — none of it is worth caring about.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 29 Book 9 · 39 of 60
What Matters Most Death & Mortality
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Their lives also, who were long ago, and theirs who shall be hereafter, and the present estate and life of those many nations of barbarians that are now in the world, thou must likewise consider in thy mind. And how many there be, who never so much as heard of thy name, how many that will soon forget it; how many who but even now did commend thee, within a very little while perchance will speak ill of thee. So that neither fame, nor honour, nor anything else that this world doth afford, is worth the while.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 29 Book 9 · 39 of 60
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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