Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

No nature can be worse than human skill, since all skills copy nature. If this is true, then the most perfect nature of all could not fall short of what human arts can do. This would make no sense. All skills work the same way: they use worse things to make better things. Nature does this even more. This is where justice begins. All other virtues come from justice. We cannot keep justice if we focus our hearts on worldly things, or if we let ourselves be fooled, or if we act without thinking, or if we keep changing our minds.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 9 Book 11 · 11 of 45
Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

It is not possible that any nature should be inferior unto art, since that all arts imitate nature. If this be so; that the most perfect and general nature of all natures should in her operation come short of the skill of arts, is most improbable. Now common is it to all arts, to make that which is worse for the better's sake. Much more then doth the common nature do the same. Hence is the first ground of justice. From justice all other virtues have their existence. For justice cannot be preserved, if either we settle our minds and affections upon worldly things; or be apt to be deceived, or rash, and inconstant.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 9 Book 11 · 11 of 45
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Work to stay connected with others in kindness and caring. But don't feel you must agree with their opinions. When people oppose you in doing what's right, they can't force you to stop doing good. Don't let them force you to stop caring about them either. Keep yourself steady in both things — doing what's right and staying gentle toward those who try to stop you or get angry with you for what you've done. To fail at either one is wrong. Giving up out of fear is cowardly. So is turning cold toward someone who is naturally your friend and family. Both are like running away from battle.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 8 Book 11 · 10 of 45
Doing The Right Thing Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To grow together like fellow branches in matter of good correspondence and affection; but not in matter of opinions. They that shall oppose thee in thy right courses, as it is not in their power to divert thee from thy good action, so neither let it be to divert thee from thy good affection towards them. But be it thy care to keep thyself constant in both; both in a right judgment and action, and in true meekness towards them, that either shall do their endeavour to hinder thee, or at least will be displeased with thee for what thou hast done. For to fail in either (either in the one to give over for fear, or in the other to forsake thy natural affection towards him, who by nature is both thy friend and thy kinsman) is equally base, and much savouring of the disposition of a cowardly fugitive soldier.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 8 Book 11 · 10 of 45
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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