Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Neither did I leave my body entirely to the doctors to do whatever they wanted. I didn't expect much from them, and I didn't think getting my health back through them was that important. My current condition seemed fine to me and gave me peace.' So when you get sick (if you happen to get sick) or face any other kind of crisis, try to have the same mindset that Epicurus described. Don't abandon your philosophy because of anything that happens to you. Don't listen to foolish people and those who only think about physical things.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 41 Book 9 · 55 of 60
Facing Hardship What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Neither did I leave the ordering of my body to the physicians altogether to do with me what they would, as though I expected any great matter from them, or as though I thought it a matter of such great consequence, by their means to recover my health: for my present estate, methought, liked me very well, and gave me good content.' Whether therefore in sickness (if thou chance to sicken) or in what other kind of extremity soever, endeavour thou also to be in thy mind so affected, as he doth report of himself: not to depart from thy philosophy for anything that can befall thee, nor to give ear to the discourses of silly people, and mere naturalists.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 41 Book 9 · 55 of 60
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Epicurus said about his own illness: 'When I was sick, I didn't spend time talking about my disease or discussing it with visitors. Instead, I focused on the most important things. I especially thought about how my mind could stay free from worry and keep its own happiness, even though it naturally shared in my body's pain.'

Meditations, Book 9, Section 41 Book 9 · 54 of 60
Calm Your Mind Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

'In my sickness' (saith Epicurus of himself:) 'my discourses were not concerning the nature of my disease, neither was that, to them that came to visit me, the subject of my talk; but in the consideration and contemplation of that, which was of especial weight and moment, was all my time bestowed and spent, and among others in this very thing, how my mind, by a natural and unavoidable sympathy partaking in some sort with the present indisposition of my body, might nevertheless keep herself free from trouble, and in present possession of her own proper happiness.

Meditations, Book 9, Section 41 Book 9 · 54 of 60
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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