Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Find a clear way to think about how all things change into one another. Keep this always in mind. Practice this way of thinking until it becomes natural. Nothing else will better help you develop true greatness of spirit.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 11 Book 10 · 23 of 57
Calm Your Mind What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To find out, and set to thyself some certain way and method of contemplation, whereby thou mayest clearly discern and represent unto thyself, the mutual change of all things, the one into the other. Bear it in thy mind evermore, and see that thou be throughly well exercised in this particular. For there is not anything more effectual to beget true magnanimity.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 11 Book 10 · 23 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

A spider catches a fly and feels proud. A hunter catches a rabbit or fish and feels accomplished. Another hunter takes down a boar or bear and celebrates. Soldiers feel the same pride when they defeat the Sarmatians or other northern tribes. These famous warriors think they're doing something noble. But if you look at what's really in their minds, they're just hunting prey like any other predator.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 10 Book 10 · 22 of 57
Human Nature What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

As the spider, when it hath caught the fly that it hunted after, is not little proud, nor meanly conceited of herself: as he likewise that hath caught an hare, or hath taken a fish with his net: as another for the taking of a boar, and another of a bear: so may they be proud, and applaud themselves for their valiant acts against the Sarmatai, or northern nations lately defeated. For these also, these famous soldiers and warlike men, if thou dost look into their minds and opinions, what do they for the most part but hunt after prey?

Meditations, Book 10, Section 10 Book 10 · 22 of 57
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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