Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

What should you say or do right now that makes the most sense? Whatever it is, you have the power to do it or say it. So stop making excuses like something is holding you back. You will keep groaning and complaining until doing the right thing becomes as natural to you as pleasure is to someone who chases pleasures. You need to find joy in doing whatever fits your nature as a human being. And you can do this anywhere.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 33 Book 10 · 47 of 57
Doing The Right Thing Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

What then is it that may upon this present occasion according to best reason and discretion, either be said or done? For whatsoever it be, it is in thy power either to do it, or to say it, and therefore seek not any pretences, as though thou wert hindered. Thou wilt never cease groaning and complaining, until such time as that, what pleasure is unto the voluptuous, be unto thee, to do in everything that presents itself, whatsoever may be done conformably and agreeably to the proper constitution of man, or, to man as he is a man. For thou must account that pleasure, whatsoever it be, that thou mayest do according to thine own nature. And to do this, every place will fit thee.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 33 Book 10 · 47 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Don't let anyone truthfully say that you are not simple, sincere, or good. Let them be wrong if they think badly of you. This is entirely up to you. Who could stop you from being simple or good? Just decide that you would rather not live than not be this kind of person. It doesn't make sense for someone to live if they are not like this.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 33 Book 10 · 46 of 57
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Let it not be in any man's power, to say truly of thee, that thou art not truly simple, or sincere and open, or not good. Let him be deceived whosoever he be that shall have any such opinion of thee. For all this doth depend of thee. For who is it that should hinder thee from being either truly simple or good? Do thou only resolve rather not to live, than not to be such. For indeed neither doth it stand with reason that he should live that is not such.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 33 Book 10 · 46 of 57
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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