Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Remember that solitude and remote places, which many philosophers praise so highly, are just what they are. All things are the same nature everywhere. They appear the same to people who live in towns and deal with others as they do to those who retreat to mountaintops, deserted harbors, or any other empty places.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 24 Book 10 · 36 of 57
Calm Your Mind What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Let it always appear and be manifest unto thee that solitariness, and desert places, by many philosophers so much esteemed of and affected, are of themselves but thus and thus; and that all things are them to them that live in towns, and converse with others as they are the same nature everywhere to be seen and observed: to them that have retired themselves to the top of mountains, and to desert havens, or what other desert and inhabited places soever.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 24 Book 10 · 36 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Either you keep living this way — and that's what you've grown used to, so you can handle it. Or you retire and leave the world on your own terms — and then you get what you want. Or your life gets cut short — and then you can be glad you finished your duty. One of these things has to happen. So take comfort in that.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 23 Book 10 · 35 of 57
Death & Mortality Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Either thou dost Continue in this kind of life and that is it, which so long thou hast been used unto and therefore tolerable: or thou doest retire, or leave the world, and that of thine own accord, and then thou hast thy mind: or thy life is cut off; and then mayst thou rejoice that thou hast ended thy charge. One of these must needs be. Be therefore of good comfort.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 23 Book 10 · 35 of 57
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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