Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Seventh, the sins themselves don't really trouble us. They exist only in the minds of those who commit them. What troubles us is our own opinion about those sins. Remove that opinion of yours — the idea that wrongdoing is terrible — and you remove your anger. But how do you remove it? By reasoning with yourself that sin is not shameful. But if shame is not the only real evil, then you will be driven by natural instinct to avoid what seems evil. You will end up doing unjust things yourself — stealing, or anything else — to get what you want in this world.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 23 of 45
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Seventhly, that it is not the sins and transgressions themselves that trouble us properly; for they have their existence in their minds and understandings only, that commit them; but our own opinions concerning those sins. Remove then, and be content to part with that conceit of thine, that it is a grievous thing, and thou hast removed thine anger. But how should I remove it? How? reasoning with thyself that it is not shameful. For if that which is shameful, be not the only true evil that is, thou also wilt be driven whilest thou doest follow the common instinct of nature, to avoid that which is evil, to commit many unjust things, and to become a thief, and anything, that will make to the attainment of thy intended worldly ends.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 23 of 45
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Fourth, you break the rules in many ways too. You are just like them. You might not actually do certain wrong things, but you have the urge to do them. Fear or vanity or some other foolish reason holds you back. Fifth, you cannot know for sure if they have really done wrong. Many actions serve a purpose you do not see. You must know many things before you can judge another person fairly. Sixth, when you get upset or make a big fuss, you forget that life is brief. Soon we will all be dead.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 22 of 45
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Fourthly, that thou thyself doest transgress in many things, and art even such another as they are. And though perchance thou doest forbear the very act of some sins, yet hast thou in thyself an habitual disposition to them, but that either through fear, or vainglory, or some such other ambitious foolish respect, thou art restrained. Fifthly, that whether they have sinned or no, thou doest not understand perfectly. For many things are done by way of discreet policy; and generally a man must know many things first, before he be able truly and judiciously to judge of another man's action. Sixthly, that whensoever thou doest take on grievously, or makest great woe, little doest thou remember then that a man's life is but for a moment of time, and that within a while we shall all be in our graves.

Meditations, Book 11, Section 16 Book 11 · 22 of 45
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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