Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Remember that this careful attention of yours will only last a little while, and then your life will end. What could stop you from handling all these things well? If they align with nature, be glad about them and let them please you. But if they go against nature, look for what fits your own nature. Whether it brings you honor or not, move quickly to reach it. No one should be blamed for seeking their own good and happiness.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 15 Book 11 · 18 of 45
What Matters Most Death & Mortality
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Remembering moreover, that this care and circumspection of thine, is to continue but for a while, and then thy life will be at an end. And what should hinder, but that thou mayest do well with all these things? For if they be according to nature, rejoice in them, and let them be pleasing and acceptable unto thee. But if they be against nature, seek thou that which is according to thine own nature, and whether it be for thy credit or no, use all possible speed for the attainment of it: for no man ought to be blamed, for seeking his own good and happiness.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 15 Book 11 · 18 of 45
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
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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