Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Either the gods can do nothing for us, or they can calm all the chaos and upset in your mind. If they can do nothing, why do you pray? If they can help, why not pray for something better? Ask them to free you from fear and craving for worldly things that disturb your peace. Ask that you won't be upset whether you have these things or not. This is better than praying to get what you want or avoid what you fear.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 40 Book 9 · 51 of 60
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Either the Gods can do nothing for us at all, or they can still and allay all the distractions and distempers of thy mind. If they can do nothing, why doest thou pray? If they can, why wouldst not thou rather pray, that they will grant unto thee, that thou mayst neither fear, nor lust after any of those worldly things which cause these distractions and distempers of it? Why not rather, that thou mayst not at either their absence or presence, be grieved and discontented: than either that thou mayst obtain them, or that thou mayst avoid them?

Meditations, Book 9, Section 40 Book 9 · 51 of 60
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Do you say to your rational mind, 'You are dead; corruption has taken hold of you'? Does your mind then also excrete waste? Does it graze and feed like oxen or sheep, so that it too should be mortal like the body?

Meditations, Book 9, Section 39 Book 9 · 50 of 60
Death & Mortality Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Sayest thou unto that rational part, Thou art dead; corruption hath taken hold on thee? Doth it then also void excrements? Doth it like either oxen, or sheep, graze or feed; that it also should be mortal, as well as the body?

Meditations, Book 9, Section 39 Book 9 · 50 of 60
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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