Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Live as if you don't need the world or worldly things. Live like someone alone on a mountain. It doesn't matter where you are—here or there—if the whole world is just one town. Let people see a real man living according to human nature. If they can't stand you, let them kill you. It's better to die than to live the way they want you to.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 17 Book 10 · 29 of 57
Knowing Yourself Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

So live as indifferent to the world and all worldly objects, as one who liveth by himself alone upon some desert hill. For whether here, or there, if the whole world be but as one town, it matters not much for the place. Let them behold and see a man, that is a man indeed, living according to the true nature of man. If they cannot bear with me, let them kill me. For better were it to die, than so to live as they would have thee.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 17 Book 10 · 29 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

"Give what you want, and take away what you want," says the person who is well-taught and truly humble, speaking to the one who gives and takes away. He doesn't say this from stubborn defiance, but from pure love and humble acceptance.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 16 Book 10 · 28 of 57
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Give what thou wilt, and take away what thou wilt, saith he that is well taught and truly modest, to Him that gives, and takes away. And it is not out of a stout and peremptory resolution, that he saith it, but in mere love, and humble submission.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 16 Book 10 · 28 of 57
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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