Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Remember this: what drives a person to act, what pulls their emotions one way or another, is not anything outside them. It's what lies hidden in their beliefs and opinions. That's what shapes them. That's life itself. That, truly, is the person.

As for your body — this vessel that surrounds you and all its complex parts — don't let it trouble your mind. These are just tools, like a carpenter's axe. The only difference is they were born with us and naturally stick to us. But without the inner force that moves and controls them, these parts are no more useful to us than a shuttle is to a weaver, a pen to a writer, or a whip to a driver.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 38 Book 10 · 57 of 57
Freedom & Control Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Remember, that that which sets a man at work, and hath power over the affections to draw them either one way, or the other way, is not any external thing properly, but that which is hidden within every man's dogmata, and opinions: That, that is rhetoric; that is life; that (to speak true) is man himself. As for thy body, which as a vessel, or a case, compasseth thee about, and the many and curious instruments that it hath annexed unto it, let them not trouble thy thoughts. For of themselves they are but as a carpenter's axe, but that they are born with us, and naturally sticking unto us. But otherwise, without the inward cause that hath power to move them, and to restrain them, those parts are of themselves of no more use unto us, than the shuttle is of itself to the weaver, or the pen to the writer, or the whip to the coachman.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 38 Book 10 · 57 of 57
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Make it a habit: whenever you see someone do something, ask yourself right away, "What is this person trying to achieve?" But start this practice with yourself first. Carefully examine your own motives in everything you do.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 37 Book 10 · 56 of 57
Knowing Yourself Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Use thyself; as often, as thou seest any man do anything, presently (if it be possible) to say unto thyself, What is this man's end in this his action? But begin this course with thyself first of all, and diligently examine thyself concerning whatsoever thou doest.

Meditations, Book 10, Section 37 Book 10 · 56 of 57
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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