Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What good does suspicion do? Why let worried thoughts about the future trouble your mind? Focus on what needs to be done right now. If you can search and look into that, what else do you need? And if you can see clearly what to do by yourself, don't let anyone pull you away from it. But if you can't see it clearly alone, hold back and ask for advice from the wisest people. And if something else is blocking you, move forward carefully and thoughtfully. Work with what the moment gives you. Keep your eye on what seems most right and just. To hit that target and succeed at it — that's happiness. It's the only thing we can truly fail at.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 13 Book 10 · 25 of 57
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What use is there of suspicion at all? or, why should thoughts of mistrust, and suspicion concerning that which is future, trouble thy mind at all? What now is to be done, if thou mayest search and inquiry into that, what needs thou care for more? And if thou art well able to perceive it alone, let no man divert thee from it. But if alone thou doest not so well perceive it, suspend thine action, and take advice from the best. And if there be anything else that doth hinder thee, go on with prudence and discretion, according to the present occasion and opportunity, still proposing that unto thyself, which thou doest conceive most right and just. For to hit that aright, and to speed in the prosecution of it, must needs be happiness, since it is that only which we can truly and properly be said to miss of, or miscarry in.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 13 Book 10 · 25 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Someone has broken free from the chains of their body. They know they must soon say goodbye to the world and leave everything behind. So they focus completely on two things: doing what is right in every action, and accepting whatever nature brings them. They are content with just these two goals — to act justly, and to welcome whatever God sends. They don't waste time worrying about what others might say, think, or do against them. Their only concern is to move straight ahead where right and reason point them. By doing this, they follow God. This becomes their sole focus, their only work.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 12 Book 10 · 24 of 57
Doing The Right Thing Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

He hath got loose from the bonds of his body, and perceiving that within a very little while he must of necessity bid the world farewell, and leave all these things behind him, he wholly applied himself, as to righteousness in all his actions, so to the common nature in all things that should happen unto him. And contenting himself with these two things, to do all things justly, and whatsoever God doth send to like well of it: what others shall either say or think of him, or shall do against him, he doth not so much as trouble his thoughts with it. To go on straight, whither right and reason directed him, and by so doing to follow God, was the only thing that he did mind, that, his only business and occupation.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 12 Book 10 · 24 of 57
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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