Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

To live happily comes from an inner power of the soul. This happens when you feel indifferent toward things that don't really matter. To feel this way, you must look at all worldly things — both the parts and the whole. Remember that no outside thing can create an opinion in your mind by itself. These things can't force their way into your thoughts. They just sit there, still and quiet. We create our own opinions about them. We print these thoughts in our minds ourselves. We have the power not to print them at all. And if some opinions do sneak in and hide, we have the power to wipe them away.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 15 Book 11 · 17 of 45
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

To live happily is an inward power of the soul, when she is affected with indifferency, towards those things that are by their nature indifferent. To be thus affected she must consider all worldly objects both divided and whole: remembering withal that no object can of itself beget any opinion in us, neither can come to us, but stands without still and quiet; but that we ourselves beget, and as it were print in ourselves opinions concerning them. Now it is in our power, not to print them; and if they creep in and lurk in some corner, it is in our power to wipe them off.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 15 Book 11 · 17 of 45
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

How rotten and fake is the person who says, "From now on, I'll be completely honest and straightforward with you." What are you trying to prove? Why do you need to announce this? Your actions will show it. It should be written on your face. As soon as you speak, your expression should reveal what's in your heart — just like someone in love can instantly read their partner's thoughts through their eyes. A truly simple and good person should be like someone with strong body odor. Everyone nearby can smell them whether they want to or not. But fake simplicity is worthless. Nothing is more shameful than false friendship. You must avoid this above all else. Real goodness, simplicity, and kindness can't be hidden. As I said, they show themselves in your eyes and face.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 14 Book 11 · 16 of 45
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

How rotten and insincere is he, that saith, I am resolved to carry myself hereafter towards you with all ingenuity and simplicity. O man, what doest thou mean! what needs this profession of thine? the thing itself will show it. It ought to be written upon thy forehead. No sooner thy voice is heard, than thy countenance must be able to show what is in thy mind: even as he that is loved knows presently by the looks of his sweetheart what is in her mind. Such must he be for all the world, that is truly simple and good, as he whose arm-holes are offensive, that whosoever stands by, as soon as ever he comes near him, may as it were smell him whether he will or no. But the affectation of simplicity is nowise laudable. There is nothing more shameful than perfidious friendship. Above all things, that must be avoided. However true goodness, simplicity, and kindness cannot so be hidden, but that as we have already said in the very eyes and countenance they will show themselves.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 14 Book 11 · 16 of 45
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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