Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Many of the things that trouble and limit you can be cut away. They depend only on your thoughts and opinions. Do this, and you will have plenty of room to breathe.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 30 Book 9 · 41 of 60
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Many of those things that trouble and straiten thee, it is in thy power to cut off, as wholly depending from mere conceit and opinion; and then thou shalt have room enough.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 30 Book 9 · 41 of 60
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
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support