Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

When someone wrongs you, teach them with love and gentleness. Show them their mistake. But if you can't reach them, then blame yourself. Or better yet, don't blame yourself either — if you tried your best.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 4 Book 10 · 6 of 57
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Him that offends, to teach with love and meek ness, and to show him his error. But if thou canst not, then to blame thyself; or rather not thyself neither, if thy will and endeavours have not been wanting.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 4 Book 10 · 6 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Whatever happens to you, your natural makeup either can handle it or cannot. If you can handle it, don't get upset. Bear it the way nature built you to bear it. If you cannot handle it, don't get upset either. It will soon destroy you, and when you die, it will end too. But remember this: whatever you can convince yourself is tolerable — through understanding what truly helps you and what duty requires — that thing you can actually bear. Your nature is stronger than you think.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 3 Book 10 · 5 of 57
Facing Hardship Freedom & Control
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Whatsoever doth happen unto thee, thou art naturally by thy natural constitution either able, or not able to bear. If thou beest able, be not offended, but bear it according to thy natural constitution, or as nature hath enabled thee. If thou beest not able, be not offended. For it will soon make an end of thee, and itself, (whatsoever it be) at the same time end with thee. But remember, that whatsoever by the strength of opinion, grounded upon a certain apprehension of both true profit and duty, thou canst conceive tolerable; that thou art able to bear that by thy natural constitution.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 3 Book 10 · 5 of 57
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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